SICILY. Himera. Circa 409-407 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 27 mm, 17.51 g, 7 h), obverse die signed by Mai.... The nymph Himera driving quadriga galloping to right, holding reins in both hands; above, Nike flying left, crowning the nymph with a wreath held in her right hand and holding plaque inscribed MAI in her left; in exergue, ketos to left.
Rev. [ИOIA]ꟼƎM[IH] The nymph Himera standing front, head to left, holding phiale in her right hand to pour libation over altar with square horns to left; to right, satyr standing to right in a fountain basin, showering under a stream of water emanating from a lion's head spout. Arnold-Biucci, Monetazione, Group IV, 22 (Q8/H17). Gillet 434 (
same dies). Gutmann & Schwabacher 20 (
same dies). HGC 2, 436. Rizzo pl. XXI, 23 = de Luynes 977 (
same dies). Lustrous and sharp, a beautiful example with a fine pedigree. The usual minor flan faults
, otherwise, good extremely fine.
From the Graeculus Collection, Peus 427, 4 November 2020, 120 and the collection of P. Arnaud, Hess-Divo 307, 7 June 2007, 1053, ex Münzen & Medaillen AG 85, 11 April 1997, 23, Numismatica Ars Classica F, 17 April 1996, 1100 and Sotheby's, 27 October 1993, 205.
