Drachm of Sybaris, 600 B.C., from the Ancient Coins series (N180) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co.

Art Historical Context

Step into the world of 19th-century collecting with this charming *Drachm of Sybaris, 600 B.C.*, a commercial color lithograph from William S. Kimball & Company'sAncient Coins* series (N180), produced in 1888. just 1 1/2 × 2 5/8 inches, this tiny print captures the intricate details of an ancient Greek silver coin from the opulent city of Sybaris in southern Italy—a hub of luxury and wealth in Magna Graecia around 600 B.C. Issued as part of a popular tobacco premium series, it reflects the era's fascination with classical antiquity, blending education with advertising to delight collectors. The lithograph's vibrant chromolithography technique allowed for precise, colorful reproductions of the coin's obverse and reverse, showcasing finely engraved motifs typical of Achaean coinage, such as symbolic emblems of the city's prosperity. As ephemera from the Jefferson R. Burdick Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, it highlights how everyday objects democratized art history, making ancient treasures accessible to the masses. Today, this print underscores the cultural bridge between ancient economies and Victorian nostalgia, reminding us how coins—small yet mighty—told stories of trade, power, and extravagance across millennia. A delightful glimpse into history's pocket change!

About the Artist

William S. Kimball & Company · 1850–1950

**William S. Kimball & Company**, a pioneering American tobacco manufacturer, was established in 1846 in Rochester, New York, by William S. Kimball and James C. Hart. The firm quickly grew into one of the city's largest employers, particularly of women, producing popular brands like Peerless chewing tobacco, Rigatta and Fireside smoking tobacco, and Vanity Fair cigarettes. Under Kimball's leadersh...