The Face of Akragas

444, Lot: 10. Estimate $1000. Sold for $2401. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SICILY, Akragas. Circa 465/0–445/0 BC. AR Tetradrachm (26.5mm, 16.51 g, 4h). Sea eagle standing left / Crab, with carapace in the form of a human face, within incuse circle. Westermark, Coinage, Period II, Group II, 349 (O10/R35); HGC 2, 77; SNG ANS 973 (same dies); SNG Lloyd 804 (same dies); Gulbenkian 161 (same dies); Jameson 2414 (same dies). VF, toned, rough find patina, cleaning marks.

From the Richard Sharf Collection, purchased from Harlan J. Berk, 9 February 1989.

From the earliest issues of the coins of Akragas, there are instances where the engraver of a reverse die appears to have synthesized a human face into the features of the carapace of the crab, as here. In fact, Westermark notes many examples, and agrees with the observations of others that even the likenesses of various animal heads are likewise occasionally engraved in the design. She also agrees that the most likely interpretation is that the human-like face is that of the river god Akragas, displayed within the features of the very emblem that is meant to represent him on the city’s coinage. This phenomenon continued to recur on silver issues of the city throughout the fifth century, culminating in the spectacular issue of rare drachms in the third period of coinage, where the features of the carapace are totally transformed into a stark human face peering out from the reverse (cf. Kraay-Hirmer 183).