★ An early masterpiece of Euainetos ★

SICILY. Syracuse. Second Democracy, 466-405 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 26 mm, 16.95 g, 6 h), reverse die signed by Euainetos, circa 415-405. Charioteer driving quadriga galloping to left, holding kentron in his right hand and reins in his left; above, Nike flying right to crown the charioteer with wreath held in both hands; in exergue, two dolphins facing each other. Rev. ΣYPAKOΣIΩN Head of Arethousa to left, wearing hook earring and pearl necklace and with her hair bound by an ampyx in the front and a sphendone ornamented with three stars in the back; before and behind, two pairs of dolphins facing each other; on the belly of the dolphin swimming upward before Arethousa's mouth, [EYAI]. Basel 458 ( same dies ). Fischer-Bossert, Coins, 41l ( this coin ) = Tudeer 41 (V13/R24). HGC 2, 1329. SNG ANS 269 ( same dies ). SNG Ashmolean 1996 ( same dies ). SNG Lockett 966 ( same dies ). Beautifully toned and of exceptionally fine style, an early masterpiece of Euainetos. Struck from a slightly worn obverse die and with a few faint scratches, otherwise, good very fine.

From the collection of Prof. Dr. D. Mannsperger, ex Peus 349, 2 November 1996, 58.