Gemini, LLC
Auction X 13 January 2013
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Sicily. Katane. Signed by the artist Euainetos. c. 408/7 BC. Tetradrachm, 14.87g. (2h). Obv: Quadriga with driver, in full gallop left. Nike flying overhead holding a tablet with the signature of the artist of the coin Euainetos [EYAIN], the signature not being visible due to corrosion. Below exergual line, crab. Rx: ΚΑΤΑΝΑΙΩΝ Laureate head of Apollo left. In front, wool fillet with four wool bobbles, a loop at the top for hanging and a bell at the bottom. Behind, large crawfish. Rizzo pl. XIV, 6. SNG ANS 1260. SNG Munich 437. Seltman, Masterpieces of Greek Coinage, p. 84, 35b (same reverse die). Gardner, NC (1876), p. 29. Fischer-Bossert, SNR 77 (1998), pp. 28-31, pl. 6, 11 (same dies). Very granular obverse. Exceptionally beautiful reverse. Fine/Good VF.
Ex M&M Basel 72, 6 October 1987, lot 515.
This coin from Katane is one of the absolute highlights of Greek artistry. It is signed by the artist Euainetos. The head of Apollo, though male, appears to the viewer to be that of a beautiful, attractive woman. He has delicate features and the hair is thrown up high with mounds of curls. Charles Seltman in his Masterpieces of Greek Coinage comments on how the coin of Catane and the Syracusan tetradrachm that he shows in his book are so similar in appearance that they might be brother and sister. Percy Gardner in his article in NC 1876 sums it up quite beautifully when he says '...the distinguishing mark of which is delicacy and extreme refinement passing into luxuriousness. The fastidiousness of the lips and the great delicacy of the nose will be especially striking if we compare this representation with the last but one (No. 24 is a full-frontal view of Apollo, which is considerably less refined than our coin). The length of the hair and its confinement at the back show a return to archaistic treatment'.
Ex M&M Basel 72, 6 October 1987, lot 515.
This coin from Katane is one of the absolute highlights of Greek artistry. It is signed by the artist Euainetos. The head of Apollo, though male, appears to the viewer to be that of a beautiful, attractive woman. He has delicate features and the hair is thrown up high with mounds of curls. Charles Seltman in his Masterpieces of Greek Coinage comments on how the coin of Catane and the Syracusan tetradrachm that he shows in his book are so similar in appearance that they might be brother and sister. Percy Gardner in his article in NC 1876 sums it up quite beautifully when he says '...the distinguishing mark of which is delicacy and extreme refinement passing into luxuriousness. The fastidiousness of the lips and the great delicacy of the nose will be especially striking if we compare this representation with the last but one (No. 24 is a full-frontal view of Apollo, which is considerably less refined than our coin). The length of the hair and its confinement at the back show a return to archaistic treatment'.