Sicily
Syracuse. Gelon I, Circa 485-478 BC. Drachm (Silver, 15.5 mm, 4.22 g, 3 h), circa 485-480. Nude horseman riding to right. Rev. ΣV -RAKOΣION (first three letters retrograde) Head of Arethusa to right, wearing necklace and pearl diadem, her hair tied up in a krobylos that is bound up and falls over the diadem. Boehringer 54 (V29/R37). Nanteuil 329 (same dies). SNG ANS 12 (same dies). SNG Copenhagen 616 (same dies). Rare. The head of Arethusa is particularly appealing: her archaic smile makes her appear remarkably friendly and kind. With a few light scratches, the usual reverse die break, and very lightly grainy surfaces, otherwise, about extremely fine.

From a Swiss collection, acquired in the late 1990s.