Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Triton XXV 11-12 Jan 2022
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SICILY, Katane. Circa 415/3-404 BC. AR Hemidrachm (15mm, 1.70 g, 3h). Obverse die in the style of Prokles. Bearded head of Silenos left, wearing ivy wreath / Winged thunderbolt; two shields, decorated with stars, flanking; K-A-T-A-NAI-ΩN around. Unpublished as a hemidrachm, for contemporary litra with the same types, cf. Boehringer, Kataneische Li 6; cf. HGC 2, 590. Toned, underlying luster, some minor flan flaws. Good VF. Apparently unique as a hemidrachm.
From the Pythagoras Collection, purchased from Herb Kreindler.
The present coin bears the same types as an issue of litrai (Boehringer Li 6), but the weight and diameter is clearly that of a hemidrachm. No other examples are presently known.
The dies used at Katane in the mid-late 5th century BC display some of the finest classical style engraving in Sicilian numismatics. Parallels in style between issues of Katane in this period and contemporary signed pieces from other mints have led numismatists to assign many dies to the work of master engravers such as Euainetos. Some litrai dies are signed with the first initial of the artist Prokles, whose full signature is present on contemporary tetradrachms. The unsigned dies are of an identical style, however, suggesting they are also the work of the master, but perhaps before he began engraving his signature. This unsigned hemidrachm is also in the style of Prokles.
From the Pythagoras Collection, purchased from Herb Kreindler.
The present coin bears the same types as an issue of litrai (Boehringer Li 6), but the weight and diameter is clearly that of a hemidrachm. No other examples are presently known.
The dies used at Katane in the mid-late 5th century BC display some of the finest classical style engraving in Sicilian numismatics. Parallels in style between issues of Katane in this period and contemporary signed pieces from other mints have led numismatists to assign many dies to the work of master engravers such as Euainetos. Some litrai dies are signed with the first initial of the artist Prokles, whose full signature is present on contemporary tetradrachms. The unsigned dies are of an identical style, however, suggesting they are also the work of the master, but perhaps before he began engraving his signature. This unsigned hemidrachm is also in the style of Prokles.