Nomos 16

SICILY. Messana. 412-408 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 27.4 mm, 17.40 g, 1 h). The nymph Messana, wearing a chiton and holding the reins in both hands, driving mule-biga walking to left; above, Nike flying right to crown the driver; in exergue, two opposed dolphins. Rev. ΜΕΣΣΑΝΙΩΝ Hare springing to right; below, dolphin leaping right over waves. Caltabiano 619.5 (this coin). SNG Lockett 834 (this coin). A lovely, beautifully toned example, elegantly struck on a broad flan. Extremely fine.

From the Ravenel Collection, USA, and from that of Baron Thyssen-Bornemisza and Dr. T. S. Kaplan, Numismatica Genevensis IX, 14 December 2015, 12, ex Numismatica Genevensis V, 2 December 2008, 36, and Bank Leu 33, 3 May 1983, 230, from the Sartiges Collection, and from that of T. Virzi, Hirsch XXXIII, 17 November 1913, 389.

This is one of the finest of all known tetradrachms of Messana, struck in pure classical style of the highest quality. The mule-car on the obverse refers to the victory of Anaxilas, the tyrant of Rhegium who had conquered the then city of Zankle, in the race at Olympia in 480 (he had renamed the city Messana after the area of the Peloponnesos from which he came). The hare also refers to Anaxilas: he imported them into Sicily to alleviate food shortages.