Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XXV 22-23 Sep 2022
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Sicily, Syracuse AV 100 Litrai - Double Dekadrachm. Dionysios I, circa 405-400 BC. Head of Arethusa to left, hair in sphendone ornamented with two stars, wearing triple-pendant earring and necklace; [ΣYPAKOΣIΩN before], pellets flanking neck / Herakles kneeling to right, strangling the Nemean Lion. Bérend 15,10 (this coin); SNG ANS 329 (same dies); SNG Lockett 985 (same dies); Pozzi 605 (same dies); Jameson 814 (same obv. die); HGC 2, 1275. 5.78g.
NGC graded AU 5/5 - 4/5 Fine Style (6158586-002).
This coin published in D. Bérend, 'Le monnayage d'or de Syracuse sous Denys I' in CCISN 8 (Rome, 1993);
Ex Heritage World Coin Auctions, ANA Signature Sale 3048, 11 August 2016, lot 32011;
Ex Dr. Lawrence A. Adams collection, Classical Numismatic Group, Triton XIX, 5 January 2016, lot 2018;
Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Triton VI, 14 January 2003, lot 110;
Ex Spink & Son Ltd, Auction 32, 30 November 1983, lot 11;
Ex Ars Classica S.A., Auction XV, 2 July 1930, lot 375.
Described by Cicero as "the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all" (Against Verres, 2.4.52), Syracuse became the major power in Sicily during the late 5th century BC. Its political and cultural power is borne out in its large-scale issues of what is undoubtedly some of the finest coinage in all of antiquity, with its prominence attracting eminent artists and famous die-engravers from all across the Mediterranean. This particular issue dates to circa 405 BC, following the election of Dionysios as supreme military commander of Syracuse in recognition of his achievements in the war against Carthage and his subsequent seizure of total power.
Syracuse had only recently repelled an Athenian invasion of Sicily that resulted in the complete destruction of Athens' expeditionary force and ultimately contributed significantly to Athens' defeat at the hands of Sparta in the Peloponnesian War. Then under Dionysios in 405 BC, despite the ruin of great cities such as Akragas and Gela, Syracuse overcame a Carthaginian invasion that might have resulted in a comprehensive conquest of the island. Such glory was short-lived, however, as the rule of Dionysios' son and successor was to bring civil strife that would weaken the power of Syracuse. Never again would the city issue coinage on such a grand scale, and this coin represents part of the last great flourishing of classical numismatic art at Syracuse before two centuries of steady decline and eventual conquest at the hands of the Romans.
The wonderful Syracusan 100 litrai or double dekadrachms are considered amongst some of the finest gold coinage of the Greek world, and are associated with the magnificent dekadrachms of Euainetos, whose signature also appears on the earlier dies of the gold denomination issue. The serenely graceful head of the sea-nymph Arethusa, rendered in very similar style to the great die-engraver Euainetos, is presented in delightful contrast to the dynamic rendering of the first labour of Hercules, the slaying of the Nemean lion, on the reverse. The die-engraver's masterful composition within the bounds of a circular constraint produces a scene of great power and climax, both Herakles' and the lion's backs arched as the hero bends to tighten his grip around the lion's neck and it strains desperately against him to escape. As a great Doric hero and ancestor of the Doric city of Syracuse, Herakles' defeat of the lion, the symbol of Africa, has powerful connotations for Syracuse's own conflict with the African city of Carthage.
NGC graded AU 5/5 - 4/5 Fine Style (6158586-002).
This coin published in D. Bérend, 'Le monnayage d'or de Syracuse sous Denys I' in CCISN 8 (Rome, 1993);
Ex Heritage World Coin Auctions, ANA Signature Sale 3048, 11 August 2016, lot 32011;
Ex Dr. Lawrence A. Adams collection, Classical Numismatic Group, Triton XIX, 5 January 2016, lot 2018;
Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Triton VI, 14 January 2003, lot 110;
Ex Spink & Son Ltd, Auction 32, 30 November 1983, lot 11;
Ex Ars Classica S.A., Auction XV, 2 July 1930, lot 375.
Described by Cicero as "the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all" (Against Verres, 2.4.52), Syracuse became the major power in Sicily during the late 5th century BC. Its political and cultural power is borne out in its large-scale issues of what is undoubtedly some of the finest coinage in all of antiquity, with its prominence attracting eminent artists and famous die-engravers from all across the Mediterranean. This particular issue dates to circa 405 BC, following the election of Dionysios as supreme military commander of Syracuse in recognition of his achievements in the war against Carthage and his subsequent seizure of total power.
Syracuse had only recently repelled an Athenian invasion of Sicily that resulted in the complete destruction of Athens' expeditionary force and ultimately contributed significantly to Athens' defeat at the hands of Sparta in the Peloponnesian War. Then under Dionysios in 405 BC, despite the ruin of great cities such as Akragas and Gela, Syracuse overcame a Carthaginian invasion that might have resulted in a comprehensive conquest of the island. Such glory was short-lived, however, as the rule of Dionysios' son and successor was to bring civil strife that would weaken the power of Syracuse. Never again would the city issue coinage on such a grand scale, and this coin represents part of the last great flourishing of classical numismatic art at Syracuse before two centuries of steady decline and eventual conquest at the hands of the Romans.
The wonderful Syracusan 100 litrai or double dekadrachms are considered amongst some of the finest gold coinage of the Greek world, and are associated with the magnificent dekadrachms of Euainetos, whose signature also appears on the earlier dies of the gold denomination issue. The serenely graceful head of the sea-nymph Arethusa, rendered in very similar style to the great die-engraver Euainetos, is presented in delightful contrast to the dynamic rendering of the first labour of Hercules, the slaying of the Nemean lion, on the reverse. The die-engraver's masterful composition within the bounds of a circular constraint produces a scene of great power and climax, both Herakles' and the lion's backs arched as the hero bends to tighten his grip around the lion's neck and it strains desperately against him to escape. As a great Doric hero and ancestor of the Doric city of Syracuse, Herakles' defeat of the lion, the symbol of Africa, has powerful connotations for Syracuse's own conflict with the African city of Carthage.