Sicily, Dionysos I, Decadrachm 405-400 BC, Syracuse, unsigned work by Kimon, extremely rare

The engraving on this coin is extremely fine and precise, with the superb quadriga on the observe and the horses appearing very elegant, as well as the portrait of Arethusa, the protective divinity of the city of Syracuse, whose features have been magnified by the engraver through her face and hairstyle.

One of the most important silver denominations in the Greek world, this specimen appears to be the creation of the engraver Kimon, active in Syracuse at the very end of the 5th century BC during the reign of the tyrant Dionysus I. While some engravers signed their work directly but discreetly, notably Evainetes, who was active at the same period and signed a panel worn by Nike, Kimon did not do so here. Researchers have managed to identify Kimon's style despite this lack of signature and have also attempted to attribute the issue of these exceptional coins to a specific event, as it was extremely rare to strike such denominations for a Greek city.

While the occasion cannot be clearly determined, it is fairly clear that it is linked to a military event, the weapons present in the exergue seem to be a figuration of this, accompanied by "AΘΛA", a word that refers to the lexicon of combat, of fighting in ancient Greek. This association recalls a well-known practice, when the Greeks dedicated their military equipment to the gods following military victories by engraving them.

Lastly, it should be emphasised that these denominations were issued on exceptional occasions by Greek cities, for very important projects that required a very substantial contribution of funds, such as the construction or renovation of public buildings, the purchase of goods or military funding. This coin has both pecuniary and historical value of the highest significance.