Nomos 23

SICILY. Syracuse. Second Democracy, 466-405 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 25 mm, 17.22 g, 6 h), signed by the engravers Euainetos on the obverse and Eukleidas on the reverse, circa 410. Quadriga galloping to right with its driver holding the reins with both hands and a goad in his right; above, Nike flying to left, holding a wreath held in both hands to crown the charioteer; in the exergue, wheel; on the exergual line, in tiny letters, EYAINETO. Rev. ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙOΣ Head of Arethusa to left, her hair bound tightly around her head, wearing a double-curved earring and a simple necklace with a pendant; around head, four dolphins swimming, two clockwise, and two anticlockwise; on lower part of sakkos, EYKΛEI in small letters. BMC 190 (same dies). Burlington Fine Arts Club, Exhibition of Ancient Greek Art, London 1904, pl CIII, 230 = Hill, J. Ward, Greek Coins and their Parent Cities, 1902, 282 (this coin). SNG ANS 266 (same dies). Tudeer (FB) 37v (V12/R23 this coin). Nicely toned, clear and attractive, with an impressive pedigree. Die break on the reverse, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.

From the Collection I, USA, ex The New York Sale VI, January 2003, 51, and from the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and that of J. Ward, Sotheby's Zurich, 4 April 1973, 232, acquired by the Metropolitan Museum as a gift from J. P. Morgan in 1905.