SICILY. Messana. 412-408 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 28 mm, 17.21 g, 1 h). The nymph Messana, wearing long chiton and holding reins in both hands, driving biga of mules to left; above, Nike flying right to crown her; in exergue, two opposed dolphins. Rev. MEΣΣANION Hare springing to right; below, youthful head of Pan to right with small syrinx before. Caltabiano 613 (D219/R235). SNG Lockett 829 (same reverse die). SNG Fitzwilliam 1077 (same reverse die). Very rare, Caltabiano knew of just two examples. A beautiful example boldly struck on a broad flan. Minor die wear and very light doubling on the reverse, otherwise, extremely fine.


The types of this beautiful tetradrachm are closely linked to the tyrant Anaxilas of Rhegion, who captured the opposing city of Zankle in circa 488 BC and renamed it Messana after his and the new colonist's native country of Messenia in the western Peloponnesos. In 480 BC, Anaxilas won an Olympic victory in the mule car races, a source of pride for the new settlement to which the obverses of its later tetradrachms allude. The reverse, on the other hand, refers to the worship of Pan: his head and instrument appear below his animal companion, a hare, which was believed to have been introduced by Anaxilas to Sicily from Messenia and subsequently became the coat of arms of Messana.