Lot 1719
Sicily, Kamarina. Silver Tetradrachm (16.92 g), ca. 425-405 BC Choice VF. Athena driving galloping quadriga left; above, Nike flying right, crowning Athena with wreath; in exergue, heron flying left. Reverse: KAMAPINAI-ON, bearded head of Herakles left, wearing lion skin headdress. Westermark & Jenkins 142 (O4/R10); SNG Lloyd 867 (same dies); SNG Munich 401 (same dies); SNG Copenhagen 162 (same dies); Rizzo pl. 5, 9 (same dies); Gulbenkian 174 = Locker-Lampson 61 (same dies); Pozzi 398 (same dies); Ward 169 (same dies); BMC 10 (same dies). Very Rare. Beautiful style with pleasing antique toning. Choice Very Fine.
Founded by the Syracusan oikistes 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. Estimated Value $7,000 - 9,000
Private purchase from Tom Cederlind; Ex Bank Leu Sale, Zurich (Switzerland) 20, 4-25-1978, lot 25.
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