★ An unusually clear signature of Exakestidas ★

SICILY. Kamarina. Circa 425-405 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 26 mm, 16.80 g, 9 h), obverse die signed by Exakestidas. Athena driving quadriga galloping to right, holding kentron in her right hand and reins in her left; above, Nike flying left, crowning Athena with a wreath; in exergue, two amphorae; on exergual line, ΕΞΑΚΕΣΤΙΔΑΣ in tiny letters. Rev. KAMA[PI]NAION Youthful head of Herakles to left, wearing lion skin headdress. Boston MFA 260 ( same dies ). Rizzo pl. V, 11 ( same dies ). SNG Lloyd 871 ( same dies ). SNG Lockett 725 ( same dies ). SNG Oxford 1699 ( same dies ). Westermark & Jenkins 149 (O08/R15). Beautifully toned and with an unusually clear signature of Exakestidas. Some edge cracks and with a flan fault on the obverse, otherwise, very fine.

From the T. Frisbie Collection and that of Jonathan Kagan, sold on behalf of the American Numismatic Society, Gemini V, 6 January 2009, 329.

The difference in the rendering of this Herakles compared to that on the previous lot is striking. On the one hand, we have a bearded, middle-aged and battle-hardened man, and on the other, Exakestidas' juvenile, clean-shaven and energetic portrayal of the great hero, in essence an anticipation of the later, Hellenistic iconography of the demigod.