Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XXV 22-23 Sep 2022
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Sicily, Syracuse AR Tetradrachm. Second Democracy, circa 410 BC. Obverse die signed by Euainetos. Charioteer driving fast quadriga to right, holding kentron and reins; above, Nike flying to left, crowning charioteer with wreath held outstretched in both hands and also holding a panel inscribed EYAIN-ETO; two confronted dolphins in exergue / Head of Arethusa to left, her hair delicately bound with an ornamented sakkos, wearing a double-curved earring and pearl necklace; ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ and four dolphins around, two swimming clockwise, and two anticlockwise. Tudeer 42a (V14/R24 this coin); BMC 188; Boston MFA 407 (same dies); Gulbenkian 277 (same dies); Kraay & Hirmer 101 (same dies); Rizzo pl. 43, 3 (same rev. die). 17.45g, 24mm, 7h.
Extremely Fine; magnificent old cabinet tone with iridescent highlights. Very Rare; one of only 31 recorded examples.
This coin published in Coins, Artists, and Tyrants: Syracuse in the Time of the Peloponnesian War, W. Fischer-Bossert (New York, 2017);
Ex Collection I. (USA);
Ex A. Tkalec AG, 24 October 2003, lot 37.
Syracuse's huge cultural influence during the prosperous 'second democracy' period of the late fifth century BC attracted eminent artists and famous die-engravers from all across the Mediterranean. These masters brought about a stylistic revolution, breathing life into the static, rigid forms of Archaic art and developing new ways of depicting motion on a miniature scale. Among the most famous of these master engravers, who were responsible for an array of magnificent classical tetradrachms, was Euainetos, whose signature can be glimpsed on this example, inscribed on a panel held aloft by Nike over a dramatic depiction of a chariot race.
An iconic motif which had evolved from sober, canonical renderings inspired by an Attic vase painting, this highly-energized obverse engraving emphasises the thundering motion of the horses, their legs depicted in sensationally naturalistic style. The image captures a climatic moment of potential catastrophe: while the chariot is pulled forward at full speed, the outside horse is breaking away from the other three, stretching out its neck, the reins trailing dangerously below and threatening to entangle the legs of the rest of the team. It is testament to the quality of this specimen that the fine reins are visible, as they are on the British Museum example. The charioteer stands alert to the danger, poised with tension, pulling back the reins and extending the goad. While Euainetos' authentic style powerfully engages the viewer in the race, the outcome is never in doubt: the presence of Nike, soaring in from above to crown the charioteer, shows victory is assured.
The die is a masterpiece of great subtlety and ambiguity, and became instantly popular as a model for several different issues, including a group of drachms of Katane, which are signed by Euainetos on the reverse, some Syracusan hemidrachms, and an adapted version can also be seen on a tetradrachm of Gela and on the earliest gold staters of Kyrene (W. Fischer-Bossert, Coins, Artists, and Tyrants: Syracuse in the time of the Peloponnesian War, 2017, p.49).
Extremely Fine; magnificent old cabinet tone with iridescent highlights. Very Rare; one of only 31 recorded examples.
This coin published in Coins, Artists, and Tyrants: Syracuse in the Time of the Peloponnesian War, W. Fischer-Bossert (New York, 2017);
Ex Collection I. (USA);
Ex A. Tkalec AG, 24 October 2003, lot 37.
Syracuse's huge cultural influence during the prosperous 'second democracy' period of the late fifth century BC attracted eminent artists and famous die-engravers from all across the Mediterranean. These masters brought about a stylistic revolution, breathing life into the static, rigid forms of Archaic art and developing new ways of depicting motion on a miniature scale. Among the most famous of these master engravers, who were responsible for an array of magnificent classical tetradrachms, was Euainetos, whose signature can be glimpsed on this example, inscribed on a panel held aloft by Nike over a dramatic depiction of a chariot race.
An iconic motif which had evolved from sober, canonical renderings inspired by an Attic vase painting, this highly-energized obverse engraving emphasises the thundering motion of the horses, their legs depicted in sensationally naturalistic style. The image captures a climatic moment of potential catastrophe: while the chariot is pulled forward at full speed, the outside horse is breaking away from the other three, stretching out its neck, the reins trailing dangerously below and threatening to entangle the legs of the rest of the team. It is testament to the quality of this specimen that the fine reins are visible, as they are on the British Museum example. The charioteer stands alert to the danger, poised with tension, pulling back the reins and extending the goad. While Euainetos' authentic style powerfully engages the viewer in the race, the outcome is never in doubt: the presence of Nike, soaring in from above to crown the charioteer, shows victory is assured.
The die is a masterpiece of great subtlety and ambiguity, and became instantly popular as a model for several different issues, including a group of drachms of Katane, which are signed by Euainetos on the reverse, some Syracusan hemidrachms, and an adapted version can also be seen on a tetradrachm of Gela and on the earliest gold staters of Kyrene (W. Fischer-Bossert, Coins, Artists, and Tyrants: Syracuse in the time of the Peloponnesian War, 2017, p.49).