Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 133 21 Nov 2022
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Greek Coins. Selinus.
Tetradrachm circa 409, AR 17.34 g . Fast quadriga driven r. by Nike; above, wreath and in exergue, [Σ]ΕΛΙΝΟΝΤΙΟΝ / ear of barley. Rev. The young river-god Selinos, naked, standing l., holding laurel branch in l. hand while sacrificing out of patera over lighted altar in front of which cockerel; in r. field, bull butting on wreathed rectangular base; above, Selinon leaf. In exergue, [fish l.] Regling, Antike 572 (these dies). Rizzo pl. XXXIII, 11 (this obverse die). Schwabacher 45. AMB 411 (this obverse die).
Very rare and in superb condition for the issue. A spectacular obverse composition of
masterly style struck on a full flan and a lovely light tone. Extremely fine
Ex Leu 42, 1987, 111; Triton X, 2007, 86 and Manhattan II, 2011, 18 sales. From the Peter Guber collection.
This issue of tetradrachms, with a fast quadriga shown partially facing, is generally dated to the period c.417-409 B.C. Kraay and Robinson preferred a date of c.410, just before the city's destruction by the Carthaginians in 409. Kraay notes that the distinctive quadriga scene must have been inspired by an issue of Syracuse tetradrachms on which a nearly identical quadriga scene had been created by the engraver "Euth..." (Tudeer obverse die 15). No other signed works of that gifted artist are known. While Kraay's observation appears justified – especially in the context of the widely held belief that Syracuse was the vanguard of artistic trends in Sicilian coinage – it may not bear scrutiny. Indeed, not all authorities place the Syracusan prototypes (Tudeer nos. 46-47) so early: commonly they are dated as early as c.415, but with equal frequency they are described as having been struck as late as c. 405. Regardless of the precise date of the issue, this tetradrachm of Selinus undeniably is an artistic masterpiece struck in the midst of dire conflict, notably with Segesta to the south, but perhaps also with more distant powers, including Syracuse and Carthage. Late in the 5th Century a purely local dispute of Segesta and Selinus grew out of proportion and drew outside interest. In 416 B.C. it led to Syracusan and Athenian interventions that three years later culminated in the destruction of an Athenian armada. In 410/9 B.C., perhaps when this coin was struck, it offered the pretext for a Carthaginian invasion that ended in the destruction of Selinus and Himera.
Tetradrachm circa 409, AR 17.34 g . Fast quadriga driven r. by Nike; above, wreath and in exergue, [Σ]ΕΛΙΝΟΝΤΙΟΝ / ear of barley. Rev. The young river-god Selinos, naked, standing l., holding laurel branch in l. hand while sacrificing out of patera over lighted altar in front of which cockerel; in r. field, bull butting on wreathed rectangular base; above, Selinon leaf. In exergue, [fish l.] Regling, Antike 572 (these dies). Rizzo pl. XXXIII, 11 (this obverse die). Schwabacher 45. AMB 411 (this obverse die).
Very rare and in superb condition for the issue. A spectacular obverse composition of
masterly style struck on a full flan and a lovely light tone. Extremely fine
Ex Leu 42, 1987, 111; Triton X, 2007, 86 and Manhattan II, 2011, 18 sales. From the Peter Guber collection.
This issue of tetradrachms, with a fast quadriga shown partially facing, is generally dated to the period c.417-409 B.C. Kraay and Robinson preferred a date of c.410, just before the city's destruction by the Carthaginians in 409. Kraay notes that the distinctive quadriga scene must have been inspired by an issue of Syracuse tetradrachms on which a nearly identical quadriga scene had been created by the engraver "Euth..." (Tudeer obverse die 15). No other signed works of that gifted artist are known. While Kraay's observation appears justified – especially in the context of the widely held belief that Syracuse was the vanguard of artistic trends in Sicilian coinage – it may not bear scrutiny. Indeed, not all authorities place the Syracusan prototypes (Tudeer nos. 46-47) so early: commonly they are dated as early as c.415, but with equal frequency they are described as having been struck as late as c. 405. Regardless of the precise date of the issue, this tetradrachm of Selinus undeniably is an artistic masterpiece struck in the midst of dire conflict, notably with Segesta to the south, but perhaps also with more distant powers, including Syracuse and Carthage. Late in the 5th Century a purely local dispute of Segesta and Selinus grew out of proportion and drew outside interest. In 416 B.C. it led to Syracusan and Athenian interventions that three years later culminated in the destruction of an Athenian armada. In 410/9 B.C., perhaps when this coin was struck, it offered the pretext for a Carthaginian invasion that ended in the destruction of Selinus and Himera.