‡ Sicily, Katana, tetradrachm, c. 465-460 BC, man-headed bull (river-god Amenanos) standing right; above, Nike flying right, rev., ΚΑΤΑ[ΝΑΙ-Ο-Ν], Nike, wearing long chiton, walking left holding two fillets in outstretched hand; in field left, Κ, 16.92g, die axis 4.00 (G.F. Hill, Burlington Fine Arts Club Exhibition of Ancient Greek Art, London, 1904, pl. 102, 163, ‘lent by A.J. Evans’ = Jameson I, 533 = Imhoof-Blumer, ‘Fluss- und Meergötter auf griechischen und römischen münzen’, SNR 23, 1923, p. 192, 46, pl. II, 9 = Gillet private catalogue pl. 13, 378, this piece; Arnold-Biucchi pl. 4, 70, same reverse die; 73, same obverse die; Rizzo pl. 9, 8), good very fine with a distinguished provenance Exhibited: Burlington Fine Arts Club, London, Summer, 1903 .Provenance: Sir Arthur J. Evans collection; Robert Jameson collection; Charles Gillet collection; ‘Kunstfreund’, Bank Leu & Münzen und Medaillen, 28 May 1974, lot 85; SBV 21, 24 January 1989, lot 19; Bank Leu 53, 21 October 1991; Dr. Peter Suter collection, Münzen und Medaillen 89, 14 June 2000, lot 39; European Connoisseur collection (formed before 2002). Note: Nestled by the sea on the fertile southern slopes of Mount Etna, Katana was a colony from Naxos founded in 729 BC, and throughout its history was coveted by Syracuse. In 476 BC, possibly following an eruption of the ever-belligerent Etna, the citizens of Katana were expelled by Hieron, who himself was driven out a decade later. This coinage was struck shortly after his expulsion and is the first in the town’s name. The obverse represents Amenanos, a local river god, who as a man-headed bull represents the flowing current of a river. On the reverse, Victory, is delicately rendered wearing a filmy chiton, perhaps alighting from flight. Explanations of the type range from reflecting a victory in some agonistic games to triumph over the Syracusan aggressors.

Estimate: GBP 10000-15000