Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 138 18-19 May 2023
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Syracuse.
Tetras circa 390, Æ 1.74 g. Female head, wearing ampyx, facing slightly l., hair floating freely. Rev. Octopus. SNG Copenhagen 679. C. Boehringer, Essays Thompson pl. 39, 26. SNG München 1107. AMB 491. Calciati 29.
Rare and undoubtedly the finest specimen known for this issue and one of the most beautiful
Sicilian bronzes. Unsigned work of Exakestidas, a portrait of enchanting beauty,
struck in high relief on a full flan and with a marvellous
enamel-like light green patina. Good extremely fine
Ex Artemide sale LVI, 2021, 120.
According to tradition, Syracuse was founded by Greek colonists from Corinth under the leadership of Archias in 734 BC. The Syracusan's initial settlement was just off shore on the island of Ortygia. In later times, it would be from this fortress island that Syracuse's tyrants controlled the rest of the city. The natural spring on the island, which provided its water supply, was named Arethusa. It is the image of the goddess of this spring which dominates the early coinage of Syracuse. For the coinage of Syracuse, there are two elements which must be valued in their importance: the great tradition of master engravers and, on the other, the political economic and military situations. The first bronze issues are sometimes attributed to the master engravers: Kimon, Euainetos, Phrygillos, Eukleidas, Eumenes and other unidentified. According Calciati the model for the head on the obverse is derived from the facing head of Arethusa by Kimon. This issue is usually attributed to Exakestidas because there are several specimens signed E or Ex. Exakestidas was a Sicilian engraver, active at the end of the V century BC, who signed tetradrachms and didrachms of Camarina. We don't have other information about him other than the signature placed on the dies engraved by him. However, the stylistic evidence of many coins of this series reveals such significant differences that the intervention of other engravers seems to be certain.
Tetras circa 390, Æ 1.74 g. Female head, wearing ampyx, facing slightly l., hair floating freely. Rev. Octopus. SNG Copenhagen 679. C. Boehringer, Essays Thompson pl. 39, 26. SNG München 1107. AMB 491. Calciati 29.
Rare and undoubtedly the finest specimen known for this issue and one of the most beautiful
Sicilian bronzes. Unsigned work of Exakestidas, a portrait of enchanting beauty,
struck in high relief on a full flan and with a marvellous
enamel-like light green patina. Good extremely fine
Ex Artemide sale LVI, 2021, 120.
According to tradition, Syracuse was founded by Greek colonists from Corinth under the leadership of Archias in 734 BC. The Syracusan's initial settlement was just off shore on the island of Ortygia. In later times, it would be from this fortress island that Syracuse's tyrants controlled the rest of the city. The natural spring on the island, which provided its water supply, was named Arethusa. It is the image of the goddess of this spring which dominates the early coinage of Syracuse. For the coinage of Syracuse, there are two elements which must be valued in their importance: the great tradition of master engravers and, on the other, the political economic and military situations. The first bronze issues are sometimes attributed to the master engravers: Kimon, Euainetos, Phrygillos, Eukleidas, Eumenes and other unidentified. According Calciati the model for the head on the obverse is derived from the facing head of Arethusa by Kimon. This issue is usually attributed to Exakestidas because there are several specimens signed E or Ex. Exakestidas was a Sicilian engraver, active at the end of the V century BC, who signed tetradrachms and didrachms of Camarina. We don't have other information about him other than the signature placed on the dies engraved by him. However, the stylistic evidence of many coins of this series reveals such significant differences that the intervention of other engravers seems to be certain.