Unusual Dekadrachm Die Combination
SICILY, Syracuse. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. AR Dekadrachm (34mm, 42.90 g, 3h). Unsigned dies in the style of Euainetos. Struck circa 405-400 BC. Wreathed head of Arethusa left, wearing triple pendant earring and necklace, surrounded by four dolphins swimming; star to right / Charioteer driving galloping quadriga left, holding kentron and reins; above, Nike flying right and crowning charioteer; below heavy exergual line: a military harness, shield, greaves, cuirass and Attic helmet all connected by a horizontal spear. Gallatin dies K.III/R.XXIII; SNG München 1082 (same dies). Good VF, toned. Rare die combination.
For this particular combination, Gallatin proposes that the obverse is actually the head of Arethusa rather than the customary attribution of the obverse to the quadriga. This combination and strike are extremely rare, with only two such pieces noted by Gallatin---one being the München specimen.
