Lot 2844
Sicily. Leontini, c. 470-466 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.1 g). Very rare. This coin could be further improved with proper cleaning. Charioteer driving walking quadriga right, with Nike above, flying left to crown him; running lion right in exergue. Reverse: Laureate head of Apollo right, three laurel leaves around with ethnic interspersed within; below head, running lion right. SNG ANS 217. This could be improved by proper cleaning. Old deep collection toning. Some slight smoothing and minor patches of surface roughness. Die breaks beginning to appear on Apollo at ear and neck truncation. About Very Fine.
Estimated Value $2,000-UP.
The relationship of the Syracusan masterworks of the "Demareteion Master" to the coins of Leontini is discussed by R.R. Holloway in ANSMN IX, pp. 1-11. These he wholly regards to be works of the same person. On the other hand, Carmen Arnold-Biucchi disputes this in her work on the Randazzo Hoard. She considers the Leontini coins influenced by, but not the same works of the master. She places the Leontini issues somewhat later than those of Syracuse, and in a more developed and realistic style. In any event, the coin is one seminal issues in the whole of the Leontini series, and as such the opportunity of enriching one's collection with this serviceable example should not be missed.
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| Realized $1,380 |
