Sale: Triton VI, Lot: 110. Estimate $4000.  Closing Date: Monday, 13 January 2003.  Sold For $3500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SICILY, Syracuse. Circa 405-400 BC. AV 100 Litrae - Double Dekadrachm (5.78 gm). SV[RAKOSI]WN, head of Arethusa left, hair in ampyx and sphendone decorated with stars; globule before and behind / Nude young Herakles strangling the Nemean lion. Bérend 11; SNG ANS 329 (same dies); SNG Lockett 985 (same dies); Good VF, some light die rust on reverse. ($4000) 

The turbulent reign of the Syracusan tyrant Dionysios I (405-367 BC) brought forth a spectacular array of coinage designed to meet the heavy expenses of his numerous military campaigns, principally against the Carthaginians who had recently invaded western Sicily. Best known in this series are the famous medallic silver dekadrachms, most of which were issued at this time from dies produced by the master engraver Euainetos and his school. This coinage was augmented by a significant output of beautiful gold pieces in two main denominations, the 100 litrae and the 50 litrae. The litra, an early Sicilian bronze standard, came to be issued as a small silver coin weighing 0.86 grams, making it the equivalent of one-twentieth of the Attic silver tetradrachm. Thus, a gold coin valued at 50 Sicilian litrae was the same as an Attic silver dekadrachm, and one of a 100 litrae was a double dekadrachm. The dies for these small gold coins were engraved with a gem-like precision and some bear the signatures of the artists Kimon and Euainetos. The heroic theme of the reverse type should be interpreted as symbolizing the struggle between the Greeks, led by Syracuse, and their Carthaginian enemies.