Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XX 29-30 Oct 2020
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Sicily, Syracuse AR Tetradrachm. Time of the Second Democracy, circa 415-406 BC. Dies signed by Euth(edemos?) on obverse and Phrygillos on reverse. Nude Eros driving galloping quadriga to right, holding reins in both hands; above, Nike flying to left, crowning him with wreath and holding aphlaston; in exergue, Skylla swimming to right, holding trident over shoulder, flanked by EYΘ and fish to right and leaping dolphin to left / Grain-wreathed head of the nymph Arethusa to left, wearing looped earring and necklace; ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΟΝ and four swimming dolphins around, ΦPYΓIΛΛΟΣ in two lines below. Tudeer 47 (V15/R29); Fischer-Bossert 47 (V15/R29); SNG ANS 274 (same dies); Kraay-Hirmer 107 (same dies); Rizzo pl. XLII, 12 (same dies); Jameson 801 (same dies); de Luynes 1169 (same dies); HGC 2, 1334. 16.56g, 26mm, 11h.
Good Extremely Fine. A highly desirable type in exceptional condition of preservation.
From the Long Valley River Collection;
Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XI, 7 April 2016, lot 113;
Ex collection of P.G. (Brussels), privately purchased in Munich in 2006.
This spectacular coin is part of a brief series of coins engraved at Syracuse, Akragas and a mint believed to be Kamarina, as Syracuse and her allies basked in the glory of their brilliant and total victory in the autumn of 413 BC over the Athenian expeditionary force commanded by Nikias, Demosthenes and Eurymedon.
Despite the traditionally broad dating assigned to this issue (415-405) we may deduce the date of its production on the basis of several considerations: namely, the unusual attributes of this series, the availability of metal, and the requirement for coinage.
This issue, Tudeer 46 (which shares the same obverse die) and Tudeer 51 share one highly unusual feature: Nike carries not the usual palm branch, but an aphlaston; a hemilitron attributed to Kamarina struck in the same period also displays an aphlaston as the sole reverse type. The extraordinary use of such a symbol at this time can only refer to the great naval victories won in late August and early September of 413. In the former engagement, Eurymedon was killed and many of the Athenian ships were pushed on to the shore where Syracusan-allied land forces commanded by the Spartan general Gylippos were waiting for them. With the Syracusans now blockading the harbour the Athenians on 9 September readied themselves for one last battle, but the cramped conditions in the harbour prevented them from manoeuvring and eventually forced them back onto the shore again. Abandoning their ships, they retreated to their camp leaving the Syracusans to burn or tow away what little remained of their once great fleet. This hypothesis is further reinforced by the presence of Skylla in the exergue, playfully chasing a fish with her trident over her shoulder, while a dolphin follows in her wake. This too is a symbol unique to this single Syracusan die, but not to the period: Akragas at this time also issues a famous and unprecedented type (Kraay-Hirmer 175) bearing Skylla and the Akragantine crab in great detail upon the reverse, while two majestic eagles stand proudly on the obverse, tearing at a dead hare. It has already been remarked elsewhere that that type most likely commemorates the defeat of the Athenian force (see U. Westermark, Skylla on the Coins of Akragas, DN pp. 215-223). The unusual depiction of Arethusa wreathed with grain on both this issue and Tudeer 46 may also be explained by the lifting of the blockade of the city and the threat of starvation being dispelled as food was able to be once again freely imported.
The spoils from the annihilated Athenian army would have provided ample metal on which to strike this celebratory issue (the Athenian reinforcements in 414 alone brought 300 talents - nearly eight metric tonnes of silver). Indeed, though the coins are now extremely rare, the issue must have been vast judging by the highly worn die states we see on the surviving specimens. By 406/5 however, silver was in sufficiently short supply that Akragas, Kamarina and even Syracuse resorted to emergency gold issues.
Excepting the great victory of 413 there appear to be no other occasions between 415 and 405 that would warrant the striking of so special a coinage and in such numbers. During the Carthaginian invasion of 410-409 neither Syracuse nor Akragas directly engaged the invaders, and even after the destruction of Selinos and Himera, their reactions were mild. Syracuse chose to quietly build up its fleet, while Akragas slowly expanded its army. Neither city had cause therefore in this period to expend sums as great as those which would have been required following the siege of Syracuse - soldiers, mercenaries and allies never require payment as great as when they have just concluded a successful war.
Good Extremely Fine. A highly desirable type in exceptional condition of preservation.
From the Long Valley River Collection;
Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XI, 7 April 2016, lot 113;
Ex collection of P.G. (Brussels), privately purchased in Munich in 2006.
This spectacular coin is part of a brief series of coins engraved at Syracuse, Akragas and a mint believed to be Kamarina, as Syracuse and her allies basked in the glory of their brilliant and total victory in the autumn of 413 BC over the Athenian expeditionary force commanded by Nikias, Demosthenes and Eurymedon.
Despite the traditionally broad dating assigned to this issue (415-405) we may deduce the date of its production on the basis of several considerations: namely, the unusual attributes of this series, the availability of metal, and the requirement for coinage.
This issue, Tudeer 46 (which shares the same obverse die) and Tudeer 51 share one highly unusual feature: Nike carries not the usual palm branch, but an aphlaston; a hemilitron attributed to Kamarina struck in the same period also displays an aphlaston as the sole reverse type. The extraordinary use of such a symbol at this time can only refer to the great naval victories won in late August and early September of 413. In the former engagement, Eurymedon was killed and many of the Athenian ships were pushed on to the shore where Syracusan-allied land forces commanded by the Spartan general Gylippos were waiting for them. With the Syracusans now blockading the harbour the Athenians on 9 September readied themselves for one last battle, but the cramped conditions in the harbour prevented them from manoeuvring and eventually forced them back onto the shore again. Abandoning their ships, they retreated to their camp leaving the Syracusans to burn or tow away what little remained of their once great fleet. This hypothesis is further reinforced by the presence of Skylla in the exergue, playfully chasing a fish with her trident over her shoulder, while a dolphin follows in her wake. This too is a symbol unique to this single Syracusan die, but not to the period: Akragas at this time also issues a famous and unprecedented type (Kraay-Hirmer 175) bearing Skylla and the Akragantine crab in great detail upon the reverse, while two majestic eagles stand proudly on the obverse, tearing at a dead hare. It has already been remarked elsewhere that that type most likely commemorates the defeat of the Athenian force (see U. Westermark, Skylla on the Coins of Akragas, DN pp. 215-223). The unusual depiction of Arethusa wreathed with grain on both this issue and Tudeer 46 may also be explained by the lifting of the blockade of the city and the threat of starvation being dispelled as food was able to be once again freely imported.
The spoils from the annihilated Athenian army would have provided ample metal on which to strike this celebratory issue (the Athenian reinforcements in 414 alone brought 300 talents - nearly eight metric tonnes of silver). Indeed, though the coins are now extremely rare, the issue must have been vast judging by the highly worn die states we see on the surviving specimens. By 406/5 however, silver was in sufficiently short supply that Akragas, Kamarina and even Syracuse resorted to emergency gold issues.
Excepting the great victory of 413 there appear to be no other occasions between 415 and 405 that would warrant the striking of so special a coinage and in such numbers. During the Carthaginian invasion of 410-409 neither Syracuse nor Akragas directly engaged the invaders, and even after the destruction of Selinos and Himera, their reactions were mild. Syracuse chose to quietly build up its fleet, while Akragas slowly expanded its army. Neither city had cause therefore in this period to expend sums as great as those which would have been required following the siege of Syracuse - soldiers, mercenaries and allies never require payment as great as when they have just concluded a successful war.