Ira and Larry Goldberg Auctioneers
Auction 96 14-15 February 2017
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Sicily, Syracuse. Deinomenid Tyranny. Silver Tetradrachm (17.13 g), 485-466 BC. Under Hieron I, ca. 475-470 BC. Charioteer, holding kentron and reins, driving slow quadriga right; above, Nike flying right, crowning horses with open wreath held. Reverse: ΣV-RAKO-ΣIO-? Head of Arethusa right, hair bound with pearl diadem, wearing necklace; around, four dolphins. Boehringer 310E.1 (V150/R206); Randazzo 476-7 (same dies); SNG ANS 100; Weber 1561 (same dies). Well struck on a nice clean flan. Lightly toned. Extremely Fine. Estimate Value $2,000 - 2,500
From the Hanbery Collection; Purchased privately from F. Kovacs in 1988.
Syracusan tetradrachms of the fifth century BC are famous for their scenes of chariot racers. Sometimes the scenes are filled with excitement and tension as the horses barrel through the hippodrome and the charioteer loses the reins, but the scene on this coin seems to depict the end of the race as the winner drives his chariot for a final victory lap. The horses are not at full gallop as in the race, but take their time in turning around the meta (a column used to mark the turning point in the hippodrome), giving the driver time to bask in the glory of his victory. While the triumphant context of the scene can be inferred from the gait of the horses, it is made explicit by the appearance of Nike flying above holding the victor's diadem.
From the Hanbery Collection; Purchased privately from F. Kovacs in 1988.
Syracusan tetradrachms of the fifth century BC are famous for their scenes of chariot racers. Sometimes the scenes are filled with excitement and tension as the horses barrel through the hippodrome and the charioteer loses the reins, but the scene on this coin seems to depict the end of the race as the winner drives his chariot for a final victory lap. The horses are not at full gallop as in the race, but take their time in turning around the meta (a column used to mark the turning point in the hippodrome), giving the driver time to bask in the glory of his victory. While the triumphant context of the scene can be inferred from the gait of the horses, it is made explicit by the appearance of Nike flying above holding the victor's diadem.