Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Auction 111 29 May 2019
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SICILY, Syracuse. Second Democracy. 466-405 BC. AV Dilitron (12mm, 1.71 g, 11h). Obverse die signed by the artist IM– (here as MI–). Struck circa 406/5 BC. Head of Athena left, wearing crested Attic helmet decorated with a coiled serpent and a spiral palmette on the bowl; ΣVPAKOΣIΩN to left, MI below (only traces visible) / Aegis with facing gorgoneion in center. Boehringer, Münzprägungen, p. 66, pl. 1, 5 = Boehringer, Ehrenrettung, pl. 2, 7 = Boehringer, Finanzpolitik, pl. 38, 12 = Boehringer, Bronze, p. 55, n. 24, fig. E13 (same obv. die as illustration); Fischer-Bossert, Coins, p. 68, n. 119; HGC 2, –. Good VF, toned, minor deposits. Well centered for issue. Extremely rare, one of eight known (see below).
The artist who signed this issue was among the many "signing artists" who engraved coins in Syracuse from the late Second Democracy to the reign of Dionysios I. He is better known from his signed tetradrachms (Fischer-Bossert, Coins [Tudeer] 67), but also a rare issue of small bronze (CNS 29 fr2). This issue should not be confused with the slightly later issue of AV litrai of the same types, which are quite common and unsigned.
This issue is known from eight examples, struck from 1 obverse and 4 reverse dies:
1. Dies 1/A
(a) Stack's, 14 January 2008, lot 2112 = Triton VII, lot 89 = NAC 10, lot 144 = Hess-Leu, 27 March 1956, lot 210
(b) Hess-Leu, 2 April 1958, lot 9
2. Dies 1/B
(a) NAC 9, lot 219 = CNG 26, lot 27 = Leu 36, lot 69
3. Dies 1/C
(a) Manhattan Sale I, lot 28 = Antiqua XIV, no. 10
4. Dies 1/D
(a) Roma E-Sale 45, lot 128 = Roma XI, lot 114
(b) Nomos Obolos 10, lot 17
(c) Nomos 2, lot 27
(d) Present coin.
The artist who signed this issue was among the many "signing artists" who engraved coins in Syracuse from the late Second Democracy to the reign of Dionysios I. He is better known from his signed tetradrachms (Fischer-Bossert, Coins [Tudeer] 67), but also a rare issue of small bronze (CNS 29 fr2). This issue should not be confused with the slightly later issue of AV litrai of the same types, which are quite common and unsigned.
This issue is known from eight examples, struck from 1 obverse and 4 reverse dies:
1. Dies 1/A
(a) Stack's, 14 January 2008, lot 2112 = Triton VII, lot 89 = NAC 10, lot 144 = Hess-Leu, 27 March 1956, lot 210
(b) Hess-Leu, 2 April 1958, lot 9
2. Dies 1/B
(a) NAC 9, lot 219 = CNG 26, lot 27 = Leu 36, lot 69
3. Dies 1/C
(a) Manhattan Sale I, lot 28 = Antiqua XIV, no. 10
4. Dies 1/D
(a) Roma E-Sale 45, lot 128 = Roma XI, lot 114
(b) Nomos Obolos 10, lot 17
(c) Nomos 2, lot 27
(d) Present coin.