Gemini, LLC
Auction 12 11 January 2015
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Sicily. Akragas. c. 408-406 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.32g (4h). Obv: Quadriga galloping right, the female charioteer crowned by Nike flying left; in the exergue, crab downwards. Rx: ΑΚΡ-Α-ΓΑΝΤΙΝΟΝ (retrograde) Two eagles standing right, devouring hare on rocks. Seltman, NC 1948, p. 3, no. 6. Kraay and Hirmer, pl. 61, 178. Rizzo, pl. II, 1. Boston 232. SNG Lloyd 818. De Hirsch Coll. 288. De Luynes Coll. 859 (all from the same pair of dies as our coin). An unquestionably genuine example of one of the most sought after Greek coins. Light corrosion on obverse. VF/About EF
Ex Sotheby's (New York), 19-20 June 1991 (Hunt Coll. Part IV), lot 56. Ex Leu 15, 4-5 May 1976, lot 53. Ex Dr. J.H. Judd Collection. Ex Hess-Leu, 27 March 1956, lot 68
During the final decade of the fifth century BC, the Greek cities of Sicily faced two Carthaginian invasions. In 409/8 BC, Selinus and Himera fell victim to the first invasion. The second invasion was even more disastrous. Akragas, Gela and Kamarina were conquered by the Carthaginian army, which finally drew up in front of Syracuse itself. Only a plague raging in their camps eventually forced the Carthaginians to retreat. The types of the late tetradrachm coinage of Akragas do not directly reflect this dire situation. Since the obverse type of a chariot was borrowed from Akragas' old rival Syracuse, the style of the coins can be approximately synchronized with the coinages of both Syracuse and other neighboring cities. It is clear that the late chariot tetradrachms of Akragas were all issued during just a short period of time, not before 409/8 BC, maybe only in 407/6 BC. One of them was overstruck on a specimen of the earliest tetradrachm issues of the Carthaginians. Despite the perilous times, these coins are great works of art. It is interesting to see how the Akragantine die engravers, while adopting a foreign coin type, tried to create designs of their own. The motif of the first horse turning its head backwards, for example, is unique in Sicilian numismatics. Late Akragantine tetradrachms are therefore highly appreciated and very much sought after by serious collectors
Ex Sotheby's (New York), 19-20 June 1991 (Hunt Coll. Part IV), lot 56. Ex Leu 15, 4-5 May 1976, lot 53. Ex Dr. J.H. Judd Collection. Ex Hess-Leu, 27 March 1956, lot 68
During the final decade of the fifth century BC, the Greek cities of Sicily faced two Carthaginian invasions. In 409/8 BC, Selinus and Himera fell victim to the first invasion. The second invasion was even more disastrous. Akragas, Gela and Kamarina were conquered by the Carthaginian army, which finally drew up in front of Syracuse itself. Only a plague raging in their camps eventually forced the Carthaginians to retreat. The types of the late tetradrachm coinage of Akragas do not directly reflect this dire situation. Since the obverse type of a chariot was borrowed from Akragas' old rival Syracuse, the style of the coins can be approximately synchronized with the coinages of both Syracuse and other neighboring cities. It is clear that the late chariot tetradrachms of Akragas were all issued during just a short period of time, not before 409/8 BC, maybe only in 407/6 BC. One of them was overstruck on a specimen of the earliest tetradrachm issues of the Carthaginians. Despite the perilous times, these coins are great works of art. It is interesting to see how the Akragantine die engravers, while adopting a foreign coin type, tried to create designs of their own. The motif of the first horse turning its head backwards, for example, is unique in Sicilian numismatics. Late Akragantine tetradrachms are therefore highly appreciated and very much sought after by serious collectors