SICILY. Gela. Circa 465-450 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 28 mm, 17.77 g, 8 h). Charioteer, holding reins in his right hand and kentron in his left, driving slow quadriga to right; in background, column with Ionic capital set on plinth of two steps; in exergue, grain ear to right.
Rev. CEΛAΣ Forepart of the river-god Gelas, in the form of a man-headed bull, to right. Jenkins, Gela, Group III, 207 (O54/R111). McClean 975 (
same reverse die). Rizzo pl. XVII, 13. SNG ANS -. SNG Lloyd 960 (
same obverse die). A beautiful, lightly toned and well centered piece with a magnificent river-god. Struck from the usual somewhat worn obverse die and with a light scratch on the reverse
, otherwise, extremely fine.
From the T. Frisbie Collection, ex Classical Numismatic Group 100, 7 October 2015, 1266, and from the collection of J. J. Grano, Numismatica Genevensis VIII, 24 November 2014, 16, previously privately acquired in 2001.