The New York Sale
Auction 42 9 Jan 2018
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Sicily, Syracuse. Deinomenid Tyranny. Silver Tetradrachm (17.45 g), 485-466 BC. Struck under Gelon I, ca. 480/78-475 BC. Charioteer, holding reigns and kentron, driving slow quadriga right; above, Nike flying right crowning horses with wreath. rev. ΣVRAKOΣI-ON, diademed head of Arethusa right, wearing pearl necklace; around, four dolphins clockwise. Boehringer - (V45/R-; rev. die not recorded); Randazzo 257 (same dies). A splendid example of fine archaic style. Boldly struck and well centered. Underlying luster present, all delicately toned. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $2,000
From the Dionysus Collection.
Despite the legend naming the Syracusans as the issuing authority, this gem of early Classical Syracusan coinage was struck while the city was controlled by the Deinomenid dynasty of tyrants. The dynasty was founded by Gelon, who first assumed power as tyrant in Gela in 491 BC before seizing Syracuse in 485 BC. The expansion of the territory under his control and a great victory over the Carthaginians in 480 BC were instrumental in raising Syracuse to the status of preeminent city in Greek Sicily. The greatness of Syracuse only increased under Gelon's successor, Hieron I. Hieron defeated a combined Carthaginian and Etruscan army at Cumae in 474 BC and won the chariot race events at both the Pythian Games in 470 BC and the Olympic Games in 468 BC, one or both of which might be commemorated by the obverse type of this coin. Unfortunately, the Deinomenid tyranny also became increasingly oppressive under Hieron I and not long after his death in 466 BC, a series of revolutions at Syracuse and other cities overthrew the Deinomenids in favor of new democratic constitutions.
From the Dionysus Collection.
Despite the legend naming the Syracusans as the issuing authority, this gem of early Classical Syracusan coinage was struck while the city was controlled by the Deinomenid dynasty of tyrants. The dynasty was founded by Gelon, who first assumed power as tyrant in Gela in 491 BC before seizing Syracuse in 485 BC. The expansion of the territory under his control and a great victory over the Carthaginians in 480 BC were instrumental in raising Syracuse to the status of preeminent city in Greek Sicily. The greatness of Syracuse only increased under Gelon's successor, Hieron I. Hieron defeated a combined Carthaginian and Etruscan army at Cumae in 474 BC and won the chariot race events at both the Pythian Games in 470 BC and the Olympic Games in 468 BC, one or both of which might be commemorated by the obverse type of this coin. Unfortunately, the Deinomenid tyranny also became increasingly oppressive under Hieron I and not long after his death in 466 BC, a series of revolutions at Syracuse and other cities overthrew the Deinomenids in favor of new democratic constitutions.