Nomos AG
Auction 26 21 May 2023
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
SICILY. Syracuse. Dionysios I, 405-367 BC. Litra (Silver, 11.5 mm, 0.78 g, 6 h), circa 405. ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ Head of Arethusa to left, her hair bound up in a sakkos, wearing a simple earring and a pearl necklace; to right, dolphin swimming downwards to left. Rev. Octopus. Buceti 543. Kreutzer, Kleinsilbermünzen, 2.81 (this coin). SNG ANS 293. Attractive and toned. Some traces of corrosion, otherwise, good very fine.
From the "Collection sans Pareille" of Ancient Greek Fractions, ex Vinchon 11 April 1988, 309 & Münzen und Medaillen FPL 395, November/December 1977, 19.
The octopus was a very common reverse type for Syracusan silver litrai and for numerous bronze varieties. Up until the time of Dionysios I, however, their tentacles invariably wave about separately, but beginning under his rule the two tentacles nearest the creature's mouth almost invariably intertwine. One wonders whether this has some symbolic meaning (perhaps there is an article, unknown to the writer, about this very question).
From the "Collection sans Pareille" of Ancient Greek Fractions, ex Vinchon 11 April 1988, 309 & Münzen und Medaillen FPL 395, November/December 1977, 19.
The octopus was a very common reverse type for Syracusan silver litrai and for numerous bronze varieties. Up until the time of Dionysios I, however, their tentacles invariably wave about separately, but beginning under his rule the two tentacles nearest the creature's mouth almost invariably intertwine. One wonders whether this has some symbolic meaning (perhaps there is an article, unknown to the writer, about this very question).