Heritage World Coin Auctions
ANA Signature Sale 3033 8 August 2014
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Ancients
SICILY. Syracuse. Second Democracy. Ca. 466-405 B.C. AR tetradrachm, (26mm, 17.21 gm, 8h). Struck ca. 415-406 B.C. Dies signed by Euth(edemos?) (obverse) and Phrygillos (reverse). Nike driving galloping quadriga right, holding reins; above, Nike flying left, crowning her; in exergue, Skylla swimming right, holding trident over shoulder; behind Skylla, dolphin leaping out of the sea; before Skylla, EYΘ and fish swimming right / ΣΥ-ΡΑΚ-ΟΣ-Ι-ΟΝ, head of Arethusa left in high classical style, wreathed with grain, wearing looped earring and necklace; around, four dolphins swimming; below neck, ΦPYΓIΛΛ-[ΟΣ] in two lines. Tudeer 47 (V15/R29). SNG ANS 274 (same dies). Kraay & Hirmer 107 (same dies). Rizzo pl. XLII, 12. Well struck in sound metal. A pleasing Extremely Fine. Realizing the high artistic quality of their work, the engravers of dies for Syracusan tetradrachms and decadrachms often signed their dies. Their pride in their artistry is justifiable, as evidenced by the great desire of the coins they created among modern collectors. The obverse of this tetradrachm carries the abbreviated signature Euth...(likely for Euthydemos), while the full name of Phrygillos appears on the reverse.The iconic and highly influential types are skillfully rendered in high classical style. The quadriga carrying Nike on the obverse was widely copied and ultimately lies behind similar depictions on Classical and Hellenistic Greek coins of other cities and kings as well as related images on Roman coins. The sea monster Skylla, depicted in the exergue, was believed to live in the dangerous Strait of Messenia between Sicily and Italy. Arethusa-Persephone, the nymph-patron of Syracuse appears on the reverse, symbolizing the agricultural prosperity and maritime importance of Syracuse.
Estimate: 20000-25000 USD
SICILY. Syracuse. Second Democracy. Ca. 466-405 B.C. AR tetradrachm, (26mm, 17.21 gm, 8h). Struck ca. 415-406 B.C. Dies signed by Euth(edemos?) (obverse) and Phrygillos (reverse). Nike driving galloping quadriga right, holding reins; above, Nike flying left, crowning her; in exergue, Skylla swimming right, holding trident over shoulder; behind Skylla, dolphin leaping out of the sea; before Skylla, EYΘ and fish swimming right / ΣΥ-ΡΑΚ-ΟΣ-Ι-ΟΝ, head of Arethusa left in high classical style, wreathed with grain, wearing looped earring and necklace; around, four dolphins swimming; below neck, ΦPYΓIΛΛ-[ΟΣ] in two lines. Tudeer 47 (V15/R29). SNG ANS 274 (same dies). Kraay & Hirmer 107 (same dies). Rizzo pl. XLII, 12. Well struck in sound metal. A pleasing Extremely Fine. Realizing the high artistic quality of their work, the engravers of dies for Syracusan tetradrachms and decadrachms often signed their dies. Their pride in their artistry is justifiable, as evidenced by the great desire of the coins they created among modern collectors. The obverse of this tetradrachm carries the abbreviated signature Euth...(likely for Euthydemos), while the full name of Phrygillos appears on the reverse.The iconic and highly influential types are skillfully rendered in high classical style. The quadriga carrying Nike on the obverse was widely copied and ultimately lies behind similar depictions on Classical and Hellenistic Greek coins of other cities and kings as well as related images on Roman coins. The sea monster Skylla, depicted in the exergue, was believed to live in the dangerous Strait of Messenia between Sicily and Italy. Arethusa-Persephone, the nymph-patron of Syracuse appears on the reverse, symbolizing the agricultural prosperity and maritime importance of Syracuse.
Estimate: 20000-25000 USD