SICILY, Syracuse. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. AR Dekadrachm (34.5mm, 42.84 g, 5h). Unsigned dies in the style of Euainetos. Struck circa 405-380/67 BC.

Triton XXV
Lot: 107. Estimated: $ 30 000

Greek, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 38 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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SICILY, Syracuse. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. AR Dekadrachm (34.5mm, 42.84 g, 5h). Unsigned dies in the style of Euainetos. Struck circa 405-380/67 BC. Charioteer, holding kentron in extended right hand and reins in left, driving fast quadriga left; above, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer with wreath held in her extended hands; below heavy exergual line, [military harness, shield], greaves, cuirass, and crested Attic helmet, all connected by a horizontal spear; [AΘΛA below] / Head of Arethousa left, wearing wreath of grain ears, triple-pendant earring, and pearl necklace; [ΣΥ-Ρ-Α-Κ-ΟΣΙΩΝ behind hair], pellet and scallop shell flanking neck, four swimming dolphins around. Gallatin dies R.XXIII/F.IXa; Scavino 69b (D20/R26a – this coin); HGC 2, 1299; SNG ANS 374 (same rev. die); SNG Blackburn 187 (same dies); Virzi Sale 327 (same rev. die). Old cabinet tone, usual die rust on obverse, a couple of die breaks on the reverse. Near EF.

Ex Münzen und Medaillen AG FPL 544 (June 1991), no. 24.

The engraver Euainetos seems to have begun his series of signed dekadrachm dies a few years after Kimon; perhaps he began as an apprentice and “graduated” to master status. His dekadrachm design superseded that of Kimon and became a paradigm for coinage throughout the classical world. His Arethousa is less human and more divine than his predecessor’s vision. The wreath of grain ears woven into her hair symbolizes the agricultural bounty of Sicily. His racing chariot is the essence of action, almost photographically frozen in time, with the charging, rearing horses appearing to levitate above the ground line. The design was widely copied on later coinage of Syracuse, as well as by the Carthaginian forces in Sicily.

The final winners of all Triton XXV lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 11-12 January 2022. Triton XXV – Session One – Greek Coinage (Part 1) will be held Tuesday morning, 11 January 2022 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 22.50% for all others.

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