Sicily. Syracuse. 415-405 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.97g, 9h). Reverse die signed by the master Eukleidas. Fischer-Bossert 58 (same dies); Kraay-Hirmer 111 (same dies). Very rare. Old cabinet tone. An important and innovative coin of a magnificent classical style. One of the most successful facing heads in all of Greek coinage. Insignificant metal flaw and die breaks, otherwise, choice extremely fine. From a private collection; acquired from Tradart, Brussels, 1990

Eukleidas is perhaps less well known than his contemporaries Kimon and Euainetos, but he was undoubtedly the most imaginative and bold of the three great Syracusan artists working at the end of the fifth century. His signature appears in very small letters on the helmet of the head of Athena. This is one of the most successful facing heads to appear on contemporary coinage; though the engraving of the die has no great depth, Eukleidas has created a very three dimensional head, partly by devices such as having the tail of the dolphin on the right disappear behind the head. This was one of the many contemporary Syracusan coins which were enjoyed throughout the Greek world, as imitations as far away as Lycia show