Description
Sicily. Syracuse. Decadrachm, 405-367 BC. Silver 42 g.; 35.7 mm. Signed work by Euainetos.
Obverse: Charioteer, holding kentron in outstretched right hand and reins in left, driving quadriga galloping left; above, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer with vegetal crown held in outstretched hands; below exergue line, military trophy composed of shield, greaves, cuirass, crested Attic helmet on the right, all connected by horizontal spear; [AΘΛA below] //
Reverse: Head of Arethusa left, wearing wreath of grain ears, triple-pendant earring and single-strand pearl necklace; ΣY-PA-KO-Σ-IΩN above between her locks; four dolphins swimming around her, [EY-AINE under the dolphin below the trunk of her neck]. Reverse caption: ΣY-PA-KO-Σ-IΩN // [EY-AINE]
HGC: 2-1299.
An absolutely remarkable Decadrachm for its denomination, the artist's signature and its rarity, it is elevated to the rank of artistic masterpiece thanks to its beauty and refinement. Extremely popular, sought-after and a true testament to the historical context in which it was minted, it is a highly prized possession and a must-have!
Extremely fine EF 40-45
Provenance Details
Ex Faune d'Argent Collection.
Comment
Decadrachm of Syracuse minted between 405 and 367 B.C. under the tyranny of Dionysius the Elder, with dies engraved and signed by Euainetos and of the highest rarity in terms of mintage, sales and denomination. A number of Syracuse coins have the exceptional feature of having been struck with dies signed by their engraver, an extremely rare occurrence for the period.
In Sicily, and particularly in Syracuse, two engravers are well known: Kimôn and Euainetos. Our example was engraved by the latter, whose signature is located, for this type, below the dolphin and the truncation of the neck of Arethusa. The flan of our specimen is short and therefore does not reveal his name. However, Albert Gallatin's study of the dies in 1930 attests to its presence.
Payment
Bankwire acceptedPaypal accepted