SICILY. Syracuse. Second Democracy, 466-405 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 23 mm, 17.27 g, 7 h), c. 430 BC. Bearded charioteer driving quadriga slowly to right, holding goad in his left hand and reins in his right; above, Nike flying right to crown the horses. Rev. ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΟΝ Head of Arethusa to right, wearing broad headband fastened above her ear, double-spiral earring and simple necklace, with her hair bound up behind her head under the headband and curling up behind. Boehringer 631 (V319/R434). SNG ANS 201 ( same dies ). A lovely, lightly toned and sharply struck coin – even Arethusa's eyelashes are clearly visible. Obverse struck from a slightly worn die, otherwise, extremely fine.
Ex Gorny & Mosch 207, 15 October 2012, 70 ( but with mistaken references ).
Price realized | 11'000 CHF |
Starting price | 4'800 CHF |
Estimate | 6'000 CHF |