Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction X 27 September 2015
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Sicily, Katane AR Tetradrachm. Circa 465-450 BC. The river god Amenanos as a bearded, man-headed bull kneeling to right, fish below; above, a heron standing upon his back and walking left / Nike, wearing long chiton, in flight upwards to right, holding open wreath in hands, upturned murex shell below; KATANE before. Rizzo pl. IX, 1 (same dies); Kraay-Hirmer 31 (same dies); Randazzo -; SNG ANS -; Boehringer Ognina 74 (same dies); Ognina Hoard AttiMem pl. 1, 3 (same dies). 16.71g, 28mm, 6h.
Near Extremely Fine, obverse surface slightly rough. Extremely Rare. One of very few known examples.
From a private English collection.
The reverse of this coin has been hailed as a masterpiece of numismatic art for its portrayal of Nike in flight as she holds an open wreath. The presence of the murex shell beneath Nike is its only appearance on the coinage of Katane, and is important evidence for at least one source of the city's wealth, for this mollusc was the source of the luxury 'Tyrian' purple dye, which product was worth more than its own weight in gold.
Near Extremely Fine, obverse surface slightly rough. Extremely Rare. One of very few known examples.
From a private English collection.
The reverse of this coin has been hailed as a masterpiece of numismatic art for its portrayal of Nike in flight as she holds an open wreath. The presence of the murex shell beneath Nike is its only appearance on the coinage of Katane, and is important evidence for at least one source of the city's wealth, for this mollusc was the source of the luxury 'Tyrian' purple dye, which product was worth more than its own weight in gold.