Lot 4018
Sicily, Syrakuse. End of Second Democracy, 415-405 BC. Silver Tetradrachm (17.2g). Obverse and reverse dies signed by Eukleidas and Eumenos. Fast quadriga left, the charioteer holding kentron in outstretched right hand, reins in left; above, Nike (Victory) flying right to crown charioteer; below horses, EV; in exergue, two dolphins confronted. Reverse: [ΣVPAKO]ΣION (N retrograde). Head of Arethusa left, wearing earring and wire choker; below neck truncation, EV; around, four dolphins. SNG ANS 260; Tudeer 27 (10/18). Lightly toned. Very rare. Nearly Extremely Fine.
In the last quarter of the fifth century BC there was a significant change in the Syrakusan tetradrachm coinage. Individual artists began signing their work on the dies and, as the series progressed, the representation of the victorious charioteer took on a more realistic three-quarter-face appearance that gave the scene something closer to a three-dimensional character.
This handsome specimen comes at the beginning of the transitional phase. While it bears two signatures, on obverse and reverse, the quadriga is still shown in profile as on the earlier fifth century issues. Both signatures appear as "EV" though two artists are probably involved here, likely Eukleidas and Eumenos.
Estimated Value $7,000 - 8,000.
The Hunter Collection.
|
| |
| Realized $7,188 |
