Lokris Opunti Stater

AR Lokris Opuntion Stater 350’s B.C. (12.04g) O: Head of Demeter l. BCD-61 (same dies), SNG Cop-43. R: Ajax advancing to r. with shield and short sword, the shield edge with decoration. On the ground is a long spear and a javelin at an angle to it. Symbols inside the shield: palmette and griffin, rose below. ΟΠΟΝΤΙΩΝ to l. Elaborate ground line. G: Choice EF. “This coin is extremely beautiful and struck in high relief. It has very fine hair detail. It stands as a credible copy of Euainetos' Arethusa that graced Syracusan decadrachms. Tiny hairlines on reverse below shield.” Ex. Edward J. Waddell, Ltd. S: Harlan J. Berk Ltd. 180th B/B Sale, lot 306, 8/16/12 "Ajax of Lokris led his countrymen against Troy in forty ships and was counted among the great heroes of the Greeks, but for his offence against Athena he was wrecked and killed in a storm as he made his way home from the war. Nonetheless, so great was the faith of the Lokrians in their national hero that whenever their army drew up for battle, one place was always left open for Ajax, whose spirit they believed would stand and fight with them.” Roma Numismatics Auction V 3/23/13.