Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XVI 26 Sep 2018
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Sicily, Messana AR Tetradrachm. Circa 420-413 BC. The nymph Messana, holding kentron in left hand and reins in both, driving slow biga of mules right; MEΣΣANA above, two dolphins confronted in exergue / Hare springing to right; MEΣΣANION around; dolphin to right below. Caltabiano Series XIV, 526.6 (D208/R223) = Basel 363 (same dies); SNG ANS –; SNG Lloyd 1097; BMC 39 (same dies); Dewing 649 (same obv. die); Rizzo pl. XXVI, 3. 17.33g, 26mm, 12h.
Near Mint State. Highly lustrous metal, lightly toned.
From the collection of Patrick Mulcahy;
Ex Roma Numismatics XII, 29 September 2016, lot 89;
Ex B.R.H. Collection, privately purchased c.1980s in Munich.
Founded by Greek colonists in the 8th century BC, Messana was originally called Zankle, meaning 'scythe' because of the shape of its natural harbour (though a legend attributes the name to King Zanklos). Herodotus and Thucydides relate that in the early 5th century BC, Anaxilas of Rhegion encouraged the Samians and other Ionian refugees to seize Zankle, which was then under the rule of the tyrant Skythes, who had been appointed to that post in 494 BC by Hippokrates of Gela. Shortly afterwards Anaxilas himself besieged the city, drove out the Samians, peopled it with fresh inhabitants and renamed it Messana in honour of his native city of Messene, which had itself been founded by Epaminondas after the battle of Leuktra.
While the earlier issues of Messana already featured artistry of solid competence, the present coin embodies a refinement of technique and elegance that breathed new life into the coinage of Messana; die engraving at this city would reach its zenith in the coming decade, not long before it was sacked by the Carthaginians under Himilco in 397.
Near Mint State. Highly lustrous metal, lightly toned.
From the collection of Patrick Mulcahy;
Ex Roma Numismatics XII, 29 September 2016, lot 89;
Ex B.R.H. Collection, privately purchased c.1980s in Munich.
Founded by Greek colonists in the 8th century BC, Messana was originally called Zankle, meaning 'scythe' because of the shape of its natural harbour (though a legend attributes the name to King Zanklos). Herodotus and Thucydides relate that in the early 5th century BC, Anaxilas of Rhegion encouraged the Samians and other Ionian refugees to seize Zankle, which was then under the rule of the tyrant Skythes, who had been appointed to that post in 494 BC by Hippokrates of Gela. Shortly afterwards Anaxilas himself besieged the city, drove out the Samians, peopled it with fresh inhabitants and renamed it Messana in honour of his native city of Messene, which had itself been founded by Epaminondas after the battle of Leuktra.
While the earlier issues of Messana already featured artistry of solid competence, the present coin embodies a refinement of technique and elegance that breathed new life into the coinage of Messana; die engraving at this city would reach its zenith in the coming decade, not long before it was sacked by the Carthaginians under Himilco in 397.