SICILY. Syracuse. Second Democracy (ca. 466-405 BC). AR tetradrachm (24mm, 17.38 gm, 3h). NGC XF 4/5 - 4/5. Ca. 430-420 BC. Male charioteer, wearing long chiton, kentron in right hand, reins in left, driving walking quadriga right; Nike flying above to left, crowning driver / ΣYPAK/OΣION (retrograde), head of Arethusa right, hair in saccos decorated with a maeander pattern and zigzag bands, four dolphins swimming clockwise around. Boehringer Series XXIII, 694 (V342/R473). HGC 2, 1322. The 'transitional' era of Greek numismatic art is perfectly exemplified by the dies of this Syracusan tetradrachm, which displays a blend of Archaic and Classical artistic conventions. The obverse image of a charioteer driving his quadriga to right retains some Archaic elements, notably the rather stiff pose of the charioteer and the slow, stately gate of the horses; the reverse head of Arethusa, on the other hand, exhibits the cool classicism of contemporary Athenian art, as seen on the famous Parthenon frieze. The added touch of the maeander pattern (or "Greek key") adorning the snood-like saccos containing Arethusa's hair shows the precise, mathematical precision of a true master engraver.
HID09801242017
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Price realized | 1'400 USD |
Starting price | 240 USD |