Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction IX 22 March 2015
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Sicily, Naxos AR Litra. Circa 461-430 BC. Head of Dionysos right, wearing ivy wreath / Grape bunch on vine; leaf hanging at each side, NAXI around. Cahn, Naxos 62 (V45/R53). 0.69g, 11mm, 3h.
Extremely Fine. Very Rare. An attractive example of this miniature masterpiece.
In 476 BC the citizens of Naxos and Katane were forcibly removed and resettled at Leontinoi by the tyrant Hieron of Syracuse. After the fall of the Deinomenid tyranny c. 461 BC, the Naxians were able to return from their involuntary exile to their ancient homeland. The refounding of the city was celebrated with an emission of coinage for which they sought the services of the most talented engraver of the time. This master, who had already distinguished himself with his coinage for the Aitna Tetradrachm, created for Naxos the dies for a series of coins of which the tetradrachms are undoubtedly the most famous, and of which only one pair of dies was made. For the litrai which were intended for mass circulation, the master produced three pairs of dies, in which his unique style can also be clearly seen.
Extremely Fine. Very Rare. An attractive example of this miniature masterpiece.
In 476 BC the citizens of Naxos and Katane were forcibly removed and resettled at Leontinoi by the tyrant Hieron of Syracuse. After the fall of the Deinomenid tyranny c. 461 BC, the Naxians were able to return from their involuntary exile to their ancient homeland. The refounding of the city was celebrated with an emission of coinage for which they sought the services of the most talented engraver of the time. This master, who had already distinguished himself with his coinage for the Aitna Tetradrachm, created for Naxos the dies for a series of coins of which the tetradrachms are undoubtedly the most famous, and of which only one pair of dies was made. For the litrai which were intended for mass circulation, the master produced three pairs of dies, in which his unique style can also be clearly seen.