Sicily. Messana. 420-413 BC. AR Tetradrachm (17.08g, 3h). Boutin 1093 = Caltabiano 533.1 (this coin). Old cabinet tone. Slightly rusty dies, otherwise, choice extremely fine. From the Sadijas collection; Gerhard Hirsch 1986 (150) lot 112; former Captain Edward George Spencer-Churchill (1876-1964) collection, Naville 1929 (14) lot 97; former Pasquale del Pezzo, Duke of Caianello, Marquis of Campodisola (1859-1936) collection, Sambon-Canessa 1927 (27 June) lot 820; former Samuel Pozzi (1846-1918) collection, Naville 1921 (1) lot 490

Here we have one of very few Greek depictions that refer to a distinct historic event and were probably meant to be read this way already in Antiquity. In 480 Anaxilas, tyrant of Rhegium, came out victorious in the mule race in Olympia, celebrating this success by introducing this new coin type. Related to the god Pan, the hare also refers to Anaxilas: according to Aristotle, the tyrant imported them into Sicily to alleviate food shortages.