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Sicily, Syracuse, Second Democracy, 466-405 BC, AR Tetradrachm, Arethusa, struck c. 450-440 BC

2,950.00 AUD

  • 2,082.92 USD
  • 1,969.29 €
  • 3,252.88  NZD
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Information: One of the few obverse types showing the heads of all four houses. An exceptional example of classical numismatic art at its finest. The die-engravers of Sicily, Syracuse were responsible for the finest art to found on a coin, whether by ancient or modern standards. Such coins are coveted by collectors and unsurprisingly fall outside a budget available to many collectors.
Origin: Sicily, Syracuse
Authority: Second Democracy
Denomination: Tetradrachm
Composition: Silver
Date: circa 450-440 BC
Obverse: Charioteer, holding kentron and reins, driving slow quadriga right; above, Nike flying right, crowning horses; in exergue, ketos (sea-serpent) right
Reverse: ΣVRAKOΣI-ON, large head of Artemis-Arethusa right, wearing pearl necklace with pendant, hoop earring with small pendant, hair tied back in a thin band, wrapped around head three times; four dolphins around swimming clockwise
Size: 24.97mm, 17.4g, 11h
Grade: Choice aEF, well centered, cabinet toning,
Provenance: ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachf Auction 420 (1 November 2017), Lot 1043; ex Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG Auction 46 (1999), Lot 34
References: Boehringer 571 (V287/R391); SNG ANS 184; Bement 79; Jameson 769; Pozzi 581 (all same dies); HGC 2, 1311; cf. SGCV I 925; SNG Copenhagen -; Weber -
General: The Deinomenid tyrants ruled Sicily, Syracuse from 485-465 BC. The tyrant rulers comprised the brothers Gelon I (ruled 485 BC-478 BC), Hieron I (478 BC-466 BC) and Thrasybulus (466-465 BC), all sons of Deinomenes. Legend has it that Deinomenes was told by an oracle that each of his sons were destined to become tyrants. When the Deinomenid tyrant Thrasybulus was overthrown, Syracuse became a republic for sixty years. This period from 466-405 BC is known as the Second Democracy.
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All references used by Ancient Coin Traders

Sicily, Syracuse, Second Democracy, 466-405 BC, AR Tetradrachm, Arethusa, struck c. 430-420 BC
Sicily, Syracuse, Second Democracy, 466-405 BC, AR Tetradrachm, Arethusa, struck c. 450-440 BC