★ From the collections of A. D. Moretti and W. H. Woodward ★

SICILY. Messana. 412-408 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 27 mm, 16.51 g, 10 h), signed by Simin.... The nymph Messana, wearing long chiton and holding reins in both hands, driving biga of mules to left; above, Nike flying right to crown her; in exergue, fish; on exergual line, in tiny letters, signature ΣIMIN. Rev. MEΣΣANION Hare springing to left; below, eagle, with closed wings, perched left on rock, devouring serpent held in histalons. Basel 368 ( this coin ). Caltabiano 627.5 ( this coin, D224/R251). Rizzo pl. XXVII, 9 ( same dies ). SNG Lloyd 1106 ( same dies ). Woodward 71 ( this coin ). Very rare. A well pedigreed example of this important signed issue. Slightly rough, otherwise, good very fine.

From the Kleinkunst Collection and from the collection of A. D. Moretti, Numismatica Ars Classica 13, 8 October 1998, 368, ex Kricheldorf IV, 7 October 1957, 76, Münzen & Medaillen 2, 10-11 May 1943, 474 (‘Aus dem Besitz eines Schweizer Kunstfreundes’), exhibited at the Basler Gewerbemuseum in ‘Die Münze als Kunstwerk’, October-November 1942, and from the collection of W. H. Woodward (1855-1941).

Nothing is known of the artist Simin..., who signed a single obverse die at Messana and whose work is of an enchanting Classical beauty. Whether the remarkable appearance of an Akragantine eagle below the hare of Messana has a political background is equally unclear, but it is obvious that Simin... was influenced by Kimon at Syracuse and Exakestidas at Kamarina, who also signed some of their obverse dies in tiny letters on the exergual line.