Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 124 23 Jun 2021
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Agrigentum.
Tetradrachm circa 410-406, AR 16.85 g. Fast quadriga driven l. by Nike holding kentron and reins; above, long vine branch with leaves and bunch of grapes. In exergue, ΑΚΡΑΓΑΝΤ[Ι] / ΝΟΝ. Rev. Two eagles perched l. upon upturned carcass of hare with drooping head and feet; further eagle, wings half open, leaning forward to peck, the nearer, with closed wings, throwing back head to screech. Behind, grasshopper. Seltman 11. Rizzo pl. 2, 10 (these dies). Gillet 354 (this coin). Gulbenkian 169 (these dies). Kraay-Hirmer 180 (this obverse die). Hurter, Nom. Khron., pl. 1, 7 (this reverse die). Westermark, Akragas 590.3 (this coin).
Very rare and in superb condition for the issue, undoubtedly one of the finest specimens in
private hands. Exceptionally well-centred and complete, A finely detailed obverse
die and a reverse of enchanting beauty in the finest style of the period.
Wonderful old cabinet tone and about extremely fine
Ex Leu sale 77, 2000, 75 and privately purchased from Freeman & Sear on the the 26th of February 2011. From the Charles Gillet collection.
Agrigentum, located along the southwestern coast of Sicily, was founded in 580 BC by Dorian Greeks from Gela and Rhodes. Its colonization was intended to serve as bastion of Geloan influence in western Sicily but Agrigentum soon eclipsed its mother city in importance and became the dominant Greek settlement in the west. The coinage of Agrigentum began early, ca. 510 BC, with a series of Attic-weight didrachms featuring an eagle on the obverse and a crab on the reverse, types that would remain the civic badges of the city well into the fourth century. By the mid-fifth century the city had begun issuing Attic-weight tetradrachms alongside the didrachms, as well as smaller silver issues on the litra standard to facilitate day-to-day commerce. All of these types, however, were lacking fluidity in their artistic expression, presenting a rather staid and homogeneous appearance overall. By the end of the fifth century things had drastically changed. Master engravers began producing exceptional miniature works of medallic art throughout Sicily, and Agrigentum was no exception to this trend. This magnificent tetradrachm issue coincided with a drastic need for coinage at Agrigentum; war with Carthage was imminent, just over the horizon, and money was needed to pay the mercenaries from Sparta and Syracuse who had heeded the call to help defend the city. Not only did Agrigentum produce the wonderful tetradrachms – one of the finest ever minted in the classical world – at this time, but we also see an emergency issue of silver decadrachms with the same types as on this coin as well as a gold issue of 1/5 staters (or perhaps dilitra) which display the traditional civic badge of the eagle and crab. All this was wasted effort, however, as ultimately the Carthagian general Himilco utterly destroyed the city after its capture in 406 BC.
Tetradrachm circa 410-406, AR 16.85 g. Fast quadriga driven l. by Nike holding kentron and reins; above, long vine branch with leaves and bunch of grapes. In exergue, ΑΚΡΑΓΑΝΤ[Ι] / ΝΟΝ. Rev. Two eagles perched l. upon upturned carcass of hare with drooping head and feet; further eagle, wings half open, leaning forward to peck, the nearer, with closed wings, throwing back head to screech. Behind, grasshopper. Seltman 11. Rizzo pl. 2, 10 (these dies). Gillet 354 (this coin). Gulbenkian 169 (these dies). Kraay-Hirmer 180 (this obverse die). Hurter, Nom. Khron., pl. 1, 7 (this reverse die). Westermark, Akragas 590.3 (this coin).
Very rare and in superb condition for the issue, undoubtedly one of the finest specimens in
private hands. Exceptionally well-centred and complete, A finely detailed obverse
die and a reverse of enchanting beauty in the finest style of the period.
Wonderful old cabinet tone and about extremely fine
Ex Leu sale 77, 2000, 75 and privately purchased from Freeman & Sear on the the 26th of February 2011. From the Charles Gillet collection.
Agrigentum, located along the southwestern coast of Sicily, was founded in 580 BC by Dorian Greeks from Gela and Rhodes. Its colonization was intended to serve as bastion of Geloan influence in western Sicily but Agrigentum soon eclipsed its mother city in importance and became the dominant Greek settlement in the west. The coinage of Agrigentum began early, ca. 510 BC, with a series of Attic-weight didrachms featuring an eagle on the obverse and a crab on the reverse, types that would remain the civic badges of the city well into the fourth century. By the mid-fifth century the city had begun issuing Attic-weight tetradrachms alongside the didrachms, as well as smaller silver issues on the litra standard to facilitate day-to-day commerce. All of these types, however, were lacking fluidity in their artistic expression, presenting a rather staid and homogeneous appearance overall. By the end of the fifth century things had drastically changed. Master engravers began producing exceptional miniature works of medallic art throughout Sicily, and Agrigentum was no exception to this trend. This magnificent tetradrachm issue coincided with a drastic need for coinage at Agrigentum; war with Carthage was imminent, just over the horizon, and money was needed to pay the mercenaries from Sparta and Syracuse who had heeded the call to help defend the city. Not only did Agrigentum produce the wonderful tetradrachms – one of the finest ever minted in the classical world – at this time, but we also see an emergency issue of silver decadrachms with the same types as on this coin as well as a gold issue of 1/5 staters (or perhaps dilitra) which display the traditional civic badge of the eagle and crab. All this was wasted effort, however, as ultimately the Carthagian general Himilco utterly destroyed the city after its capture in 406 BC.