Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Triton XXV 11-12 Jan 2022
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
SICILY, Syracuse. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. AR Dekadrachm (33.5mm, 43.41 g, 8h). Unsigned dies in the style of Euainetos. Struck circa 405-380/67 BC. Charioteer, holding kentron in extended right hand and reins in left, driving fast quadriga left; above, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer with wreath held in her extended hands; below heavy exergual line, [military harness, shield], greaves, cuirass, and crested Attic helmet, all connected by a horizontal spear; [AΘΛA below] / Head of Arethousa left, wearing wreath of grain ears, triple-pendant earring, and pearl necklace; [ΣΥ-ΡΑ-Κ]Ο-[Σ]-ΙΩΝ above, pellet below chin, four dolphins swimming around. Gallatin dies R.XXI/J.II; Scavino 59 (D18/R31); HGC 2, 1299; SNG ANS 375 (same dies); BMC 179 (same dies). Lightly toned, flan a little irregular. NGC photo certificate 5872730-001, graded Ch AU, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 4/5, Fine Style.
Sold for the benefit of the American Numismatic Society to benefit the Chair of the Executive Director. Ex Lanz 156 (2 June 2013), lot 62.
The engraver Euainetos seems to have begun his series of signed dekadrachm dies a few years after Kimon; perhaps he began as an apprentice and "graduated" to master status. His dekadrachm design superseded that of Kimon and became a paradigm for coinage throughout the classical world. His Arethousa is less human and more divine than his predecessor's vision. The wreath of grain ears woven into her hair symbolizes the agricultural bounty of Sicily. His racing chariot is the essence of action, almost photographically frozen in time, with the charging, rearing horses appearing to levitate above the ground line. The design was widely copied on later coinage of Syracuse, as well as by the Carthaginian forces in Sicily.
Sold for the benefit of the American Numismatic Society to benefit the Chair of the Executive Director. Ex Lanz 156 (2 June 2013), lot 62.
The engraver Euainetos seems to have begun his series of signed dekadrachm dies a few years after Kimon; perhaps he began as an apprentice and "graduated" to master status. His dekadrachm design superseded that of Kimon and became a paradigm for coinage throughout the classical world. His Arethousa is less human and more divine than his predecessor's vision. The wreath of grain ears woven into her hair symbolizes the agricultural bounty of Sicily. His racing chariot is the essence of action, almost photographically frozen in time, with the charging, rearing horses appearing to levitate above the ground line. The design was widely copied on later coinage of Syracuse, as well as by the Carthaginian forces in Sicily.