SICILY. Syracuse. Dionysios I, 405-367 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 24 mm, 17.29 g, 5 h), unsigned dies in the style of Eukleidas, circa 399-387. 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, dolphin to left.
Rev. [ΣΥ]ΡAKO[ΣIΩN] Head of Arethousa to left, her hair bound with sphendone over which several tresses fly back; she wears a double hook earring and a plain necklace; around, three dolphins swimming downwards, one upwards. Boston MFA 444 (
same dies). De Luynes 1232 = Rizzo pl. XLVIII, 16 (
same dies). Fischer-Bossert, Coins, 104 (O35/R71). Gulbenkian 298 (
same dies). SNG ANS 300 (
same dies). SNG Delepierre 678 (
same dies). A splendid example of this beautiful issue with attractive old collection toning, unusually well centered and with a magnificent reverse. The usual die rust on the obverse and with a few light marks
, otherwise, about extremely fine.
From a Swiss collection, formed before 2005.