SICILY. Syracuse. Second democracy. 466-405 B.C. AR litra. .72 gm. 10.5 mm. Struck circa 415-405 B.C. Head of Arethusa right, wearing pendant earring, hair in sphendone; behind her head, dolphin swimming downward to right; ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΟΝ to right / Octopus. SNG ANS 282-283. HGC 2, 1379. Good Very Fine; of lovely style. Very Rare.

This piece is a masterpiece of Greek art from Syracuse in its finest era, with a lovely head of Arethusa, the octopus shown with two central tentacles entwined.