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Lansky Auction 3 5 Jan 2021
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Sicily. Syracuse. 413-405 BC. AR Tetradrachm, obverse die signed by the Master Euainetos (17.15g, 11h). Tudeer 38; Tradart 2.48 (this coin). Old cabinet tone. Perfectly centered and struck on a broad flan. A wonderful specimen of enchanting beauty from one of the most celebrated Sicilian engravers. Choice extremely fine. From the Sadijas collection; Numismatik Lanz 1988 (46) lot 80
It is generally agreed that the golden age of the numismatic art falls into the decades immediately following the crushing defeat of the Sicilian expedition (415-413 BC) dispatched by Athens in the hope of conquering Syracuse. This flowering of the engraver's art at this time may have been due in large part to the plunder taken from the Athenians... Just as the metal of the coins produced at this period represented the triumph of Syracuse over Athens, so too did the high artistry advertise a triumph of spirit. Thus, the Syracusan artists developed vibrant creations and, filled with pride in their work, often signed their dies. The present tetradrachm, signed by Euainetos, "the Phidias of die-engraving" according to François Lenormant, represents one of the very best examples of the engraver's art in this generally sublime period of coin artistry.
It is generally agreed that the golden age of the numismatic art falls into the decades immediately following the crushing defeat of the Sicilian expedition (415-413 BC) dispatched by Athens in the hope of conquering Syracuse. This flowering of the engraver's art at this time may have been due in large part to the plunder taken from the Athenians... Just as the metal of the coins produced at this period represented the triumph of Syracuse over Athens, so too did the high artistry advertise a triumph of spirit. Thus, the Syracusan artists developed vibrant creations and, filled with pride in their work, often signed their dies. The present tetradrachm, signed by Euainetos, "the Phidias of die-engraving" according to François Lenormant, represents one of the very best examples of the engraver's art in this generally sublime period of coin artistry.