Lot 27
Sicily, Kamarina. Silver Tetradrachm (16.96 g), ca. 425-405 BC. Athena driving galloping quadriga right; above, Nike flying left, crowning Athena with wreath; in exergue, fish right.rev. KAMAPI-NAION, bearded head of Herakles left, wearing lion's skin headdress. Westermark & Jenkins 144 (O6/R12); SNG Lloyd 869 (same dies); Rizzo pl. 5, 14 (same dies); BMFA 259 = Warren 206 (same dies). Minor flan defect on nose and jaw. Lightly toned. Choice Very Fine. Estimated Value $3,000
From the Dionysus Collection.
Founded by the Syracusan oikists Daskon and Menekolos in 598 BC, the city of Kamarina sat on the southeastern corner of Sicily, closer to Gela than to its parent city. Both cities vied for influence, with the result that Kamarina was sacked and resettled numerous times throughout its turbulent history. During the Athenian Expedition on the late fifth century BC, Kamarina remained officially neutral but grudgingly lent limited support to defend Syracuse. It was at this time that the city's mint began producing this remarkable series of tetradrachms, initially copying the quadriga type of Syracuse in a somewhat stilted fashion, then following it with tetradrachms of much superior style vividly depicting a racing quadriga combined with a wonderful portrait of Herakles. The minting of these beautiful coins lasted only until 405 BC, as the mint ceased operations when the city's inhabitants were evacuated to Syracuse due to Carthaginian activity in the area.
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| Realized $4,956 |
