Nomos 25

SICILY. Syracuse. Dionysios I, 405-367 BC. Dekadrachm (Silver, 39 mm, 41.16 g, 11 h), by the engraver Kimon but unsigned, circa 405. Charioteer driving fast quadriga to left, holding kentron in his right hand and the reins in his left; above, Nike flying to right, crowning the charioteer; below heavy exergual line, a military harness, shield, greaves, cuirass, and Attic helmet, all connected by a horizontal spear; AΘΛA below. Rev. ΣΥRΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ Head of Arethusa to left, wearing a single-pendant earring and a pearl necklace, hair bound up at the back of her head in an open-weave sakkos; around, four dolphins, three swimming to left and one swimming downwards to right. Gulbenkian 305 (same dies = Jongkees 9a). Jongkees 9. Pozzi 612 = SNG Lockett 989 (same dies = Jongkees 9b). SNG ANS 358 (same dies = Jongkees 9d). Attractively dark toned, and with a noble head of Arethusa. Considerable traces of corrosion and die rust under the toning, and with an unimportant metal fault on Arethusa's chin, otherwise, extremely fine.

From a European collection, ex Nomos 15, 22 October 2017, 29, Palombo 12, 6 December 2013, 10 and Bank Leu 22, 8 May 1979, 35.