SICILY, Syracuse. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. AV 100 Litrai – Double Dekadrachm (14.5mm, 5.77 g, 6h). Obverse die signed by Euainetos. Struck circa 400-370 BC. Choice EF.

Triton XXVII
Lot: 74. Estimated: $ 20 000

Greek, Coin-in-Hand Video, Gold

Sold For $ 100 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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SICILY, Syracuse. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. AV 100 Litrai – Double Dekadrachm (14.5mm, 5.77 g, 6h). Obverse die signed by Euainetos. Struck circa 400-370 BC. Head of Arethousa left, hair in sakkos adorned with stars, wearing triple-pendant earring and pearl necklace; [Σ]YPAKOΣION to left, EYAI to right / Herakles kneeling right, strangling the Nemean Lion; rocks below. Bérend Group II, 8.2 (D5/R5 – this coin); HGC 2, 1275; SNG ANS 322–3 (same rev. die); Gulbenkian 322 (same dies); Kraay & Hirmer 128 = Rizzo pl. LIV, 12 = De Ciccio 20 (same dies); de Luynes 1236 (same rev. die). Trace deposits. Choice EF. Full signature visible.

From the Hydrologist Collection. Ex Johns Hopkins University Collection [inv. 44.5.143] (Part II, Bank Leu & Numismatic Fine Arts, 16 October 1984), lot 526 (pedigree to Bement is erroneous); John Work Garrett Collection [inv. G 104]; Naville X (15 June 1925), lot 290; Naville IV (17 June 1922), lot 351; 1914 Mammanelli Hoard (IGCH 2122).

The remarkable gold issues of Dionysios I, some of them signed by the same elite die engravers who were producing the immense silver dekadrachms, are considered among the most artistic gold pieces ever struck. The distinctive and expressive style of Euainetos is quite evident in his depiction of the nymph Arethousa, her hair enclosed in a sakkos ornamented with stars. The reverse depiction of Herakles wrestling the Nemean Lion is a marvel of compact tension and latent energy. Since Syracuse was engaged in a similar struggle with Carthage for control of Sicily, the imagery presents Dionysios as the new Syracusan Herakles saving Greek cities from the Carthaginian lion.

The final winners of all Triton XXVII lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 9-10 January 2024.

Triton XXVII – Session One – Lot 1-337 will be held Tuesday morning, 9 January 2024 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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