 HIMERA. Ca. 450 B.C. Stater. Nude rider dismounting from a horse galloping l. Rv. The nymph Himera standing facing, head l., pouring libation over altar, filleted caduceus behind. 8.58 grams. Gutmann-Schwabacher 4; cf.SNG ANS 168-9. Lightly toned. About Very Fine. (Est. $700-$800)
It is possible that this interesting type was struck to commemorate a victory by Himera at Olympia in the competitive run-and-ride sport of Kalpe. Held at Olympia from ca. 496 through 444 B.C., Kalpe was an event in which the jockey rode his steed around the hippodrome for a number of laps, dismounted at the start of his last lap and ran alongside his mount to the finish.
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