SICILY, Syracuse. Second Democracy. 466-405 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 17.35 g, 5h). Obverse die signed by Phrygillos, reverse die signed by Euarchidas. Struck circa 415-409 BC.

Triton XXV
Lot: 99. Estimated: $ 3 000

Greek, Silver

Sold For $ 8 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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SICILY, Syracuse. Second Democracy. 466-405 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 17.35 g, 5h). Obverse die signed by Phrygillos, reverse die signed by Euarchidas. Struck circa 415-409 BC. Head of Arethousa left, hair in ampyx, inscribed Φ[PY], and sphendone, wearing single-pendant earring; ΣVPAKOΣION above, four dolphins around / Charioteer, holding flaming torch in right hand and reins in left, driving fast quadriga left; above, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer with open wreath held in her extended hands; EVAPXIΔA above exergue line to lower right; in exergue, grain ear left. Fischer-Bossert, Coins 54 (O18/R33); Tudeer 54; HGC 2, 1335; SNG ANS 279 (same dies); SNG München 1061 (same dies); Kraay & Hirmer 108 (same rev. die); Rizzo pl. XLII, 14 (same dies). Lightly toned, flan flaw on reverse. Good VF.

From the Menlo Park Collection, purchased from Frank Kovacs, circa 1998. Lot includes an old Schweizerischer Bankverein stock ticket for this coin.

The magnificent artistic flowering in Sicily in the 5th century BC has its origins in times of great strife. By the middle of the century, the situation began to resemble that of Renaissance Italy, where local princes engaged in continual warfare among themselves while employing the finest artists and craftsmen of their time. The result was the patronizing of some of the most talented coin engravers in history. In Syracuse, by the late 5th century BC these engravers were proudly signing their work, preserving the names of Kimon, Euainetos, Eumenos, Sosion, Herakleidas, Eukleidas and others for posterity. Their handiwork included several collaborative efforts, including coins with obverse and reverse dies signed by different artists, as seen here.

The final winners of all Triton XXV lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 11-12 January 2022. Triton XXV – Session One – Greek Coinage (Part 1) will be held Tuesday morning, 11 January 2022 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 22.50% for all others.

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