Nomos 22

SICILY. Syracuse. Dionysios I, 405-367 BC. Drachm (Silver, 18 mm, 4.17 g, 7 h), probably an unsigned work by Eukleidas, circa 405-400. ΣΥ-Ρ-Α-Κ-ΟΣΙ-Ω-Ν Head of Athena facing, wearing triple crested Attic helmet, earring and necklace of pendant acorns; around, four dolphins. Rev. ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙ-ΩΝ Leukaspis, nude but for helmet, striding right, holding couched spear in his right hand and shield with his left; below and behind to left, square altar with fire burning on top and with a garland on the side; below to right, sacrificed ram lying on its back; in exergue, ΛΕΥΚΑΣΠΙΣ. BMFA 420 = Warren 388 (same obverse die). De Luynes 1251 = Rizzo pl. XLVII, 1 (same dies). Kunstfreund 121 (same obverse die). Pozzi 627 (this coin). SNG ANS 309-310 (same obverse die). Very rare. Beautifully toned, particularly attractive and with a most distinguished pedigree. About extremely fine.

From a Swiss collection, ex Numismatica Ars Classica 54, 24 March 2010, 59, and Sternberg XVI, 15 November 1985, 69, from the collections of Conte A. Magnaguti, I, 12 October 1949, 354, S. Pozzi, Naville I, 4 April 1921, 627, G. Philipsen ("Nordischer Sammler"), Hirsch XV, 28 May 1906, 1189, and from the Rothschild Collection ("Late Collector"), Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, 28 May 1900, 149 where it was purchased by Spinks for £16/-/- (in the same sale a tetradrachm by Kimon with the facing head of Arethusa, lot 155 = Fischer-Bossert/Tudeer 78f, sold for £28).