Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Triton XXIV 19-20 Jan 2021
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SICILY, Syracuse. Second Democracy. 466-405 BC. AV Dilitron (12.5mm, 1.72 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; Fischer-Bossert, Coins, p. 68, n. 119; HGC 2, –. Traces of die rust. Choice EF. Struck with artistic dies. Extremely rare, one of seven known (see below).
Ex Nomos 2 (17 May 2010), lot 27.
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 seven examples, struck from 1 obverse and 3 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
(b) Roma E-Sale 45, lot 128 = Roma XI, lot 114
(c) Nomos Obolos 10, lot 17
(d) Nomos 2, lot 27 (this coin)
Ex Nomos 2 (17 May 2010), lot 27.
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 seven examples, struck from 1 obverse and 3 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
(b) Roma E-Sale 45, lot 128 = Roma XI, lot 114
(c) Nomos Obolos 10, lot 17
(d) Nomos 2, lot 27 (this coin)