SICILY. Syracuse. Second Democracy (ca. 466-405 BC). AR tetradrachm (23mm, 17.35 gm, 12h). NGC Choice AU 4/5 - 4/5, Fine Style. Ca. 430-420 BC. Male charioteer, wearing long chiton, kentron in right hand, reins in left, driving walking quadriga right; Nike flying right above, crowning horses / ΣYPAKOΣION, head of Arethusa right, hair in saccos decorated with zigzag patterns; four dolphins swimming around. Boehringer 641. HGC 2, 1319. Brilliant flashes of peachy light contrast the subdued charcoal toning. 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.
HID09801242017
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Price realized | 3'100 USD |
Starting price | 1 USD |