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SICILY, Akragas. Circa 495-485 BC. AR Didrachm (20mm, 7.86 g, 2h). Sea eagle standing left / Crab, with carapace in the form of a human face; tiny E V below; all within incuse circle. Westermark, Coinage, Period I, Group II, 105.2 (O44/R65 – this coin, illustrated); HGC 2, 92; SNG Copenhagen 35 (same rev. die). Dark iridescent tone, area of weak strike, some light roughness and old cleaning scratches under tone. VF.
Ex Berk BBS 98 (7 October 1997), lot 62.
From the earliest issues of the coins of Akragas, there are instances where the engraver of a reverse die appears to have synthesized a human face into the features of the carapace of the crab, as here. In fact, Westermark notes many examples, and agrees with the observations of others that even the likenesses of various animal heads are likewise occasionally engraved in the design. She also agrees that the most likely interpretation is that the human-like face is that of the river god Akragas, displayed within the features of the very emblem that is meant to represent him on the city's coinage. This phenomenon continued to recur on silver issues of the city throughout the fifth century, culminating in the spectacular issue of rare drachms in the third period of coinage, where the features of the carapace are totally transformed into a stark human face peering out from the reverse (cf. Kraay-Hirmer 183).
Ex Berk BBS 98 (7 October 1997), lot 62.
From the earliest issues of the coins of Akragas, there are instances where the engraver of a reverse die appears to have synthesized a human face into the features of the carapace of the crab, as here. In fact, Westermark notes many examples, and agrees with the observations of others that even the likenesses of various animal heads are likewise occasionally engraved in the design. She also agrees that the most likely interpretation is that the human-like face is that of the river god Akragas, displayed within the features of the very emblem that is meant to represent him on the city's coinage. This phenomenon continued to recur on silver issues of the city throughout the fifth century, culminating in the spectacular issue of rare drachms in the third period of coinage, where the features of the carapace are totally transformed into a stark human face peering out from the reverse (cf. Kraay-Hirmer 183).