SICILY. Syracuse. Dionysios I, 405-367 BC. Dekadrachm (Silver, 35 mm, 42.63 g, 12 h), signed by Euainetos, circa 405-400. Charioteer driving quadriga galloping to left, holding kentron in his right hand and reins in his left; above, Nike flying right, crowning the charioteer with a wreath; in exergue, on two slightly raised lines, shield, pair of greaves, cuirass and crested Attic helmet; below, ΑΘΛΑ.
Rev. ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ Head of Arethusa to left, wearing wreath of reeds, triple-pendant earring and pearl necklace; around, four dolphins; below the dolphin swimming under Arethusa's neck, signature ΕΥΑΙΝΕ. Dewing 886-887 (
same dies). Gallatin R.IV/C.XV. A boldly struck, well centered and unusually complete piece, beautifully toned and with a splendid pedigree. The usual die break on the obverse and with some faint old scratches on the reverse
, otherwise, about extremely fine.
From a German collection and that of Count Dr. Alessandro Magnaguti, Ex Nummis Historia, Volume I, pl. XVI, 350, purchased for 2,100 Fr. in Naville IV ('Monnaies grecques antiques provenant des collections de S. A. I. le Grand-Duc Alexandre Michailovitch, de Sir Arthur J. Evans, et d'autres amateurs'), 17 & 19 June 1922, 363.
