164, Lot: 17. Estimate $1000. Sold for $938. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SICILY, Messana. 478-476 BC. AR Tetradrachm (26mm, 17.30 g). Charioteer driving biga of mules right; leaf in exergue / Hare springing right. Caltabiano 81 (D42/R40); SNG ANS 318 (same dies). VF, lightly toned, die flaw on reverse.

The first charioteer type of Messana was introduced circa 480 BC to celebrate the Olympic victory of the tyrant Anaxilas of Rhegion. His dynasty ended with the ovethrow of his sons in 461 BC, and at some point distance is put between the hated tyrants and the now standard coinage type by changing the charioteer to a female, labeled Messana, or Messene, daughter of a king of Argos, patroness of Messene on the Peloponnesos. Messenians had been settled in Zankle/Messana by Anaxilas after he conquered and expelled the Samians from the town in 488 BC.