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SICILY, Syracuse. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. AR Dekadrachm (35mm, 43.32 g, 12h). Obverse and reverse dies signed by Kimon. Struck circa 405-400 BC. Charioteer, holding kentron in extended right hand and reins in left, driving fast quadriga left; above, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer with laurel wreath held in her extended hands; below heavy exergual line inscribed KIMΩN (only traces visible), a shield, greaves, cuirass, and Attic helmet, all connected by a horizontal spear; [AΘΛA below] / Head of Arethousa left, wearing single-pendant earring and necklace, hair restrained in an ampyx, inscribed K, and open-weave sakkos; [ΣΥΡAΚΟΣΙΩN behind hair], four swimming dolphins around, the bottom dolphin inscribed KIMΩN. Jongkees 3p (dies A/γ) = J. De Foville “Choix des monnaies grecques du Cabinet de France” in RN 1913, pl. I, 173 (this coin); Scavino 3; HGC 2, 1298; SNG Lockett 988; Basel 479; BMC 202–3; Boston MFA 432 = Warren 355; Dewing 869 = Bement 511; Gillet 645; Gulbenkian 303; Hunt III 27 = Gillet 646; Hunterian 64; Jameson 819; Kraay & Hirmer 118; de Luynes 1243; McClean 2734; Rizzo pl. L, 3; Pozzi 610; Ward 291; Weber 1612 (all from the same dies). Lovely old cabinet tone, very light die rust on obverse, thin die break and slightly off center on reverse. Near EF. A wonderful coin in hand with an exceptional pedigree.
Ex Morton & Eden 96 (24 October 2018), lot 316; Morton & Eden 66 (7 November 2013), lot 340; Denyse Béhrend Collection (before 1985); Münzen und Medaillen AG XXV (17 November 1962), lot 419; deaccessioned from the Départment des Monnaies, Médailles et Antiques, Bibliothèque Nationale de France.
Nothing is known about the personal life of the Syracusan master engraver Kimon, other than the approximate years he was active, circa 415-390 BC. The legacy of his art, however, is extensive and timeless. He worked in all the metals used for coinage – gold, silver and bronze – and left his distinctive signature (usually KI) on dies for denominations large and small. His unique style, the essence of cool classical beauty, and his attention to detail are apparent on all of his designs, whether a huge silver dekadrachm or a humble bronze fraction. All are masterpieces, but his most famous designs are his facing-head silver tetradrachm and the several dies he produced for the showcase coins of Syracuse, the immense silver dekadrachms struck circa 405-390 BC. The reverse (actually the “heads” side) of Kimon's dekadrachm design features a highly individualized portrait of Arethousa, nymph of the spring of Ortygia, clearly modeled on a contemporary Greco-Sicilian woman. The head displays little of the idealization typical of his contemporary master engraver, Euainetos, and the details vary considerably from die to die. Her hair is bound in an elaborate jeweled net and a wide hairband, or ampyx, on which is placed the engraver’s initial K; a full signature is located on the dolphin below her neck. Kimon produced only six signed Arethousa dies for the dekadrachm series; another seven dies are in his distinct style, but without signature.
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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