Item Sold At Auction #12
Web Product ID: 2640
Denomination: Nomos

Lucania, Velia. Circa 290-275 BC. AR Nomos (7.62 gm). 
Head of Athena left, wearing Attic helmet with griffin and palmette; FI above, IE behind.
Lion bringing down stag left.
 
Williams 543 (O274/R380) corr.; SNG ANS 1405 (same dies). 

Estimate $200.

  Williams only lists the obverse letters as F, A and IE; however, the letters before the helmet crest on this coin are clearly FI. But as the coins of Velia were frequently
 imitated in antiquity, this coin could be a contemporary 
imitation. Or the letters could simply be a die engraver's error.