Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XV 5 Apr 2018
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Sicily, Syracuse AR Tetradrachm. Time of Dionysios I, 405-400 BC. In the style of Eukleidas. Charioteer, holding kentron in right hand and reins in both, driving fast quadriga to left; above, Nike flying to right, crowning charioteer with wreath held in both hands, dolphin to right in exergue / Head of Arethusa left, hair in bands, wearing double-loop earring and plain necklace with frontal pendant; ΣYPAKOΣIΩN and four dolphins around. W. Fischer-Bossert, Coins, Artists, and Tyrants, ANSNS 33, 2017, 92a-r = Tudeer 92 (33/64); HGC 2, 1345; SNG ANS 297 (same dies); Dewing 857–8 (same dies); Jameson 808 (same dies); Gulbenkian 297. 17.20g, 27mm, 2h.
Good Very Fine; worn obverse die as usual. Highly artistic reverse die.
From the collection of J.T.B., United States;
Ex Triton XVII, 7 January 2014, lot 70;
Ex Münzen und Medaillen 24, 17 November 1962, lot 423;
Ex Hollschek Collection, Dorotheum 112, 22 April 1961, lot 1073;
Ex Egger XLV, 12 November 1913, lot 396.
This magnificent coin depicts the goddess Arethusa in her natural environment, her hair gently drifting in the current while dolphins play around her.
Arethusa, a Nereid and attendant of Artemis, one day came upon a clear stream and began bathing, not knowing it was the river god Alpheus. He fell in love during their encounter, but she fled after discovering his presence and intentions, as she wished to remain a chaste attendant of the Goddess of the Hunt. After a long chase, she prayed to her goddess to ask for protection. Artemis hid her in a cloud, but Alpheus was persistent. She began to perspire profusely from fear, and soon transformed into a stream. Artemis then broke the ground allowing Arethusa another attempt to flee; her stream travelled under the earth to the island of Ortygia in Syracuse, Sicily.
Good Very Fine; worn obverse die as usual. Highly artistic reverse die.
From the collection of J.T.B., United States;
Ex Triton XVII, 7 January 2014, lot 70;
Ex Münzen und Medaillen 24, 17 November 1962, lot 423;
Ex Hollschek Collection, Dorotheum 112, 22 April 1961, lot 1073;
Ex Egger XLV, 12 November 1913, lot 396.
This magnificent coin depicts the goddess Arethusa in her natural environment, her hair gently drifting in the current while dolphins play around her.
Arethusa, a Nereid and attendant of Artemis, one day came upon a clear stream and began bathing, not knowing it was the river god Alpheus. He fell in love during their encounter, but she fled after discovering his presence and intentions, as she wished to remain a chaste attendant of the Goddess of the Hunt. After a long chase, she prayed to her goddess to ask for protection. Artemis hid her in a cloud, but Alpheus was persistent. She began to perspire profusely from fear, and soon transformed into a stream. Artemis then broke the ground allowing Arethusa another attempt to flee; her stream travelled under the earth to the island of Ortygia in Syracuse, Sicily.