Southern Italy, Croton, Stater

Croton was founded by Greek settlers about 720 BC in southern Italy. The colony soon became wealthy and powerful, and was moreover famous for the fitness of its inhabitants: Croton produced many generations of victors in the Olympics and other Pan-Hellenic Games.

Croton also issued wonderful coins. This stater was produced during the first half of the 5th century BC. Its obverse bears Croton's symbol, a tripod with lion's paws; such tripods were used as support for bronze cauldrons. On the reverse flies an eagle.