From Finely Executed and Artistic Dies

Sale: Triton X, Lot: 86. Estimate $25000.  Closing Date: Monday, 8 January 2007.  Sold For $26000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SICILY, Selinos. Circa 455-409 BC. AR Tetradrachm (17.34 g, 6h). Struck circa 417 or 413 BC. [S]ELINONTION, Nike, holding reins in left hand, in galloping quadriga right; laurel wreath above, grain ear in exergue / River god Selinos, nude, standing facing, head left, holding in right hand a phiale over lighted altar, cradling in left arm a palm branch decorated with a filet; to left, rooster standing left before altar; to right, selinon leaf above bull standing left on basis. Schwabacher 45 (Q14/S35); SNG ANS -; Basel 411 (same obv. die); Rizzo pl. 33, 11 (same obv. die); Kraay & Hirmer 191 (same obv. die). Near EF, toned. Well struck from finely executed artistic dies. Extremely rare issue.

Ex Leu 42 (12 May 1987), lot 111.

The inclusion of the laurel wreath and Nike in this spectacular issue suggests it was a victory coinage for a specific event. The small number of known dies, one obverse and two reverses, reinforces the notion that this was a short issue, and the masterful quality of the engraving likewise indicates its special nature. Only two events occurred during the period this issue was struck that would merit such an issue: the victory of Selinos over its longtime rival Segesta in 417 BC, or the great victory of Syracuse, in alliance with Selinos, over Athens in 413 BC.