SICILY. Syracuse. Second Democracy, 466-405 BC. Drachm (Silver, 19 mm, 3.95 g, 4 h), circa 410-405. Head of Arethusa to left, wearing hook earring and pearl necklace and with her hair bound by an ampyx in the front and a sphendone in the back; around, four dolphins. Rev. ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ Leukaspis, nude but for helmet, advancing right, holding spear in his right hand and shield in his left; at his feet, sword; before, dead lamb lying on its back. Basel 482 (this coin). HGC 2, 1363 (this coin illustrated). Jameson 804 (same dies). Rizzo pl. XLVII, 5 (same dies). Extremely rare. A beautifully toned and well centered example of this very difficult issue. Die break on the reverse, otherwise, very fine.


Somewhat surprisingly, the Leukaspis-drachm with Arethusa to the left on the obverse is much rarer than the more famous type with a facing Athena: it is in fact among the great rarities in the late 5th century silver series of Syracuse.