Nomos 23

SICILY. Syracuse. Second Democracy, 466-405 BC. Dekadrachm (Silver, 36 mm, 42.56 g, 6 h), Signed by the engraver Euainetos, circa 405-400 BC. Quadriga galloping to left, driven by a female charioteer holding the reins with both hands; above, Nike flying right, holding wreath to crown the driver; in the exergue, on two slightly raised lines, shield, pair of greaves, cuirass and crested helmet; below, [ΑΘΛΑ]. Rev. ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ Head of Arethusa to left, wearing wreath of reeds, triple pendant earring and necklace of pearls; around, four dolphins; below the dolphin swimming under Arethusa’s neck, ΕΥΑΙ[ΝΕ]. BMFA 424 (this coin). Gallatin O V1-R.C.XIV. 3 (this coin). SNG ANS 369. Nicely toned and well-centered with a partially visible signature of Euainetos. Extremely fine.

From the Collection I, USA, ex Triton XIX, 5 January 2016, 58, Nomos FPL 2, Winter-Spring 2009, 20, and from the collections of Arthur J. Frank and that of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Hess-Leu 24, 16 April 1964, 82, previously acquired by the BMFA in 1903 as part of the Bartlett Collection, which was paid for with funds provided by Francis Bartlett, and was originally built up by E. P. Warren.

Syracusan dekadrachms are among the most famous of all ancient coins: those struck from dies engraved by Euainetos were well-known in antiquity as well since not only were impressions of them used to decorate contemporary pottery, but the head of Arethusa on them also served as the prototype for other coins all over the Greek world (the staters of Lokroi and Pheneos, for example).