Extremely Rare Victory Tetradrachm
SICILY, Selinos. Circa 455-409 BC. AR Tetradrachm (27mm, 17.20 g, 12h). Struck circa 417 or 413 BC.
[S]ELINONTION, Nike, holding reins in left hand, in galloping quadriga right; laurel wreath above, grain ear in exergue / River god Selinos, nude, standing facing, head left, holding in right hand a phiale over lighted altar, cradling in left arm a filleted palm branch; to left, rooster standing left before altar; to right, selinon leaf above bull standing left on basis. Schwabacher 44 (Q14/S34); SNG ANS -; Basel 411 (same dies); Rizzo pl. 33, 11 (same dies); Kraay & Hirmer 191 (same dies). Superb EF, even gray toning with iridescent hues around the devices, reverse a little off center. Well struck from finely executed dies. Extremely rare issue.
From the Semon Lipcer Collection.
The inclusion of the laurel wreath and Nike in this spectacular issue suggests it was a victory coinage for a specific event. The small number of known dies, one obverse and two reverses, reinforces the notion that this was a short issue, and the masterful quality of the engraving likewise indicates its special nature. Only two events occurred during the period this issue was struck that would merit such an issue: the victory of Selinos over its longtime rival Segesta in 417 BC, or the great victory of Syracuse, in alliance with Selinos, over Athens in 413 BC.
