Sicily, Katane, Silver Tetradrachm (17.18 g, 2h). 415-410 BC. Dies engraved by the "Master of the leaf". Charioteer, wearing a long chiton and holding a kentron in his left hand and the reins in both, driving a quadriga right, Nike flies above to right to crown the horses, an eagle flying to right in the exergue. Rev. KATANAION, laureate head of Apollo facing left, an olive-spray behind (Rizzo pl. XII, 7 (these dies); SNG ANS 1255; BMC 24; Jameson 540; Gulbenkian 184). Very light die-flaw on reverse, attractive cabinet toning, excellent style. Choice Very Fine. Estimate Value $12,000 - UP
Ex Hess - Leu, Auction 7, Lucerne, 16 April 1957, lot 72 Ex Adolph Hess AG, Auction 19, Lucerne, 12 & 13 April 1962, lot 53 Purchased from Spink & Son Ltd., London, 10 March 1987 Ex Prospero Collection, The New York Sale XXVII, 4 January 2012, lot 133.
Rizzo used the term the "Master of the Leaf" to identify the dies engraved by this gifted artist. Rather than placing his own signature on the dies, this master engraver would mark his work with a leaf beside the head of Apollo. His engraving was important in the transformation of the designs that appeared on the coins of Katane to more naturalistic interpretations and was an influence on his contemporaries Euainetos, Choirion and Herakleidas.