Lot 4011
Sicily, Camarina / Kamarina. Silver Tetradrachm (16.96g) ca. 425-405 BC. Obverse die signed by Exakestidas. Athena driving galloping quadriga right, holding kentron in her right hand, reins in her left, Nike (Victory) flying left above to crown her with a filleted wreath; signature of Exakestidas on exergual line; two amphorai in exergue. Reverse: Herakles head left clad in lion skin. Westermark & Jenkins 149 (O8/R15); SNG Lockett 725; Rizzo pl. V, 11; SNG ANS 1205; SNG Lloyd 871; Boston MFA 260; SNG Fitzwilliam 944; Pozzi 401; SNG Ashmolean 1699. Natural gray toning. A very pleasing example of this rare and masterly signed issue. Small edge split. Choice Very Fine.
Numismatically, until the last quarter of the fifth Century BC, Kamarina was largely unremarkable, producing various small value issues as well as a few didrachm issues. Then, ca. 425 BC, coinage blossomed with a series of majestic tetradrachms, notably those issues signed by Exakestidas, as well as didrachms, drachms, hemidrachms and litrai. For some two decades, this new coinage and apparent new prosperity flourished but was ended by the aggression of Carthage. As Carthage conquered and destroyed Sicilian cities in the last decade of the fifth century, the citizens of Kamarina were evacuated by their mother-city, Syrakuse. Kamarina virtually ceased to exist until refounded by Timoleon in 399 BC, and from then on, coinage was reduced to minute issues of silver and non-distinctive bronze.
Estimated Value $20,000 - 25,000.
Ex Wolfen Family Foundation; Ex Bank Leu, sale 7, Zürich (9 May 1973), lot 57; Hess-Leu sale 1959, lot 56; Hess-Leu sale 1957, lot 67.
|
| |
| Realized $17,825 |
