Nomos 7

SICILY, Katane. Circa 412-403 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 17.05 g 4), signed by Euainetos, c. 410 BC. Youthful charioteer, holding a goad in his right hand and the reins with both, bent forward driving a racing quadriga to left, just passing the turning post that can be seen behind him; above, Nike flying to right, holding a wreath in her right hand and a tablet, inscribed ΕΥΑΙΝ, in her left; below horses, pellet; in exergue, crab swimming upwards. Rev. ΚΑΤΑΝΑΙΩΝ Laureate head of Apollo to left; behind, crayfish swimming upwards; before, knotted taenia with a hook at one end and a bell on the other. AMB 334. Gulbenkian 188-189. Kraay / Hirmer 42. Rizzo pl. XIV, 6. Rare. A masterwork by one of the greatest of all Sicilian engravers. Very well centered with all details on the flan. Slightly ragged edges because of the strength of the strike, otherwise, extremely fine.

From the Mieza collection, acquired privately.

This is one of the most beautiful of all late 5th century Sicilian coins. The lively horses on the obverse, just coming around the turn of the race course, are superbly done: the crab refers to the sea nearby and the tablet with the engraver’s name is a testimony to his pride in the design (it is notable the Nike carries it). On the reverse we see Apollo as an almost impossibly elegant youth, between a crayfish - a relative of the crab on the obverse - and a bell at the end of an ornamental rope (undoubtedly used during the festivals in honor of the god).