ANCIENT COINS. GREEK. Sicily, Syracuse (second Democracy, 466-405 B.C.), Silver Tetradrachm, 17.02g, 4h. Unsigned but attributed to Eukleidas, struck c.410-405 B.C. Female charioteer, wearing a long chiton, driving a racing quadriga to left, holding the reins and raising a flaming torch, Nike flies above to right to crown the charioteer, an ear of barley in the exergue. Rev. Σ-Y-P-A-KOΣIΩ-[N], head of Arethusa facing right, her hair bound into a bun, wearing an earring and a necklace, four dolphins swimming around (Tudeer 61 (V21/R39); Gulbenkian 283 (these dies); SNG ANS 280 (these dies); BMC 225 (these dies); Boston 413 (these dies)). A little softly struck on the highest points, otherwise a beautiful example on good metal, with a wonderful iridescent cabinet tone, nearly extremely fine. Very rare.
Ex Monnaies et Médailles, List 457, July 1983, 3
This coin shares the same die as Eukleidas's masterpiece, the facing head head tetradrachm of Athena (see lot 52), and it is therefore likely that the master engraver was also responsible for the reverse die this coin.
Estimate: $6,000