Lot 11
Sicily, Syracuse. Silver Tetradrachm (17.35 g), ca. 405-400 BC. Unsigned dies in the style of Eukleidas. Charioteer driving quadriga left; above, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer; in exergue, grain ear. Reverse: ΣYPAK[OΣIΩN], Head of Arethusa left, wearing penadant necklace and triple-pendant earring, hair bound in the back by a sakkos ornamented with stars; four dolphins swimming around. Tudeer 85 (O31/R57). Struck from a slightly worn and rusty obverse die. The reverse bold and of incredibly fine style. An antique scratch in the reverse field at 11 o'clock. Beautiful light iridescent tone and lustrous. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $6,000 - UP
It is widely accepted that the golden age of Syracusan numismatic art falls into the decades immediately following the crushing defeat of the Athenian expedition against Syracuse (415-413 BC). This outburst of artistic coin production may have been spurred by the plunder taken from the Athenians and coined for the victorious Syracusans. In this period, Syracusan die engravers experimented with the traditional quadriga and Arethusa types of their city to come up with new and vibrant creations, and, filled with pride in their work, frequently signed their dies. Although the present tetradrachm is not actually struck from signed dies, the style of the engraving is that of the famed artist Eukleidas who is celebrated for this particular rendition of Arethusa wearing her hair in a sphendone. In contrast to the earlier issues of Syracuse, which feature a slow quadriga on the obverse, here the chariot is given a much more dramatic appearance as it races across the coin. The horses look in different directions as if some have broken their reins under the whip of the victorious driver.
Private purchase from Brian Kritt.
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| Realized $9,300 |
