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773
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ANCIENT GREECE - GREEK
See original version (French)
773
-
ANCIENT GREECE - GREEK
See original version (French)
Estimate €100,000
Voluntary lot
Description
ANCIENT GREECE - GREEK
Sicily, Syracuse, Dionysius the Elder (406–367 BC). Decadrachm, dies by the Evaenetes (unsigned) ND (405–380 BC), Syracuse.
Obverse: Galloping quadriga facing left, driven by a charioteer holding the reins and the kentron; above, Nike flying to the right, crowning him. In the exergue, military equipment and [ΑΘΛΑ].
Reverse: ΣΥ-ΡΑ-Κ-Ο-ΣΙΩΝ. Head of Arethusa (Kore-Persephone) facing left, crowned with ears of corn, wearing triple-pendant earrings and a pearl necklace. A bezant beneath the chin. Around the edge, four dolphins.
HGC 2, 1299 – SNG ANS 375 (same dies) – Gallatin RXXI/JII; Silver – 43.4 g – 33 mm – 12 h
NGC AU* 5/5 5/5 Fine style (6841572-001).
Of exceptional quality, with excellent centring on the obverse and very good on the reverse. The coin is quite wide, with very slight signs of circulation. The patina is old and deep with subtle golden highlights. Superb in Proof condition.
The Syracusan decadrachms have been rightly admired since antiquity, both for their impressive size and weight and, above all, for the artistic talent and classical style they embody. They are regarded as the pinnacle of numismatic achievement in the Greek world, struck at the height of Syracuse’s power and glory, during the reign of Dionysius the Elder
Ancient Greece, Sicily, Syracuse, Dionysius I (406–367 BC), Decadrachm silver coin, Engraver: Euaenetus (no mark), Date unknown (405–380 BC), Syracuse
Obverse: A four-horse chariot facing left, galloping at full speed, steered by the charioteer with reins and a goad. Above, the goddess of victory, Nike, facing right, reaching down to place a crown upon the charioteer’s head. At the bottom, military equipment and the inscription ‘ΑΘΛΑ’.
Reverse: ‘ΣΥ-ΡΑ-Κ-Ο-ΣΙΩΝ’ A left-facing bust of Arethusa (Chorea / Persephone), wearing a wreath of wheat ears, earrings with three pendants and a pearl necklace; several dots beneath the chin; surrounded by four dolphins
Gallatin RXXI/JII – SNG ANS 375 (same die mark); Silver – 43.4 g – 33 mm – 12 h.
NGC AU* 5/5 5/5 Fine style. Both sides are struck with the design perfectly centred,particularly on the obverse where the entire design is neatly contained, representing an extremely high-quality Fine Style. A slightly larger circular patina, with faint marks; a subtle golden lustre; patina that has deepened over many years. Superb condition – completely uncirculated
The reason why the Syracuse Decadrachm has been universally praised since ancient times lies not only in the presence conferred by its size and weight, but above all in the artistic talent and classical style of the engraver, evident in its craftsmanship.Minted during the reign of Dionysius I, at the height of Syracuse’s power and glory, it is considered the finest masterpiece of coinage in the Greek world.
ANCIENT GREECE Sicily, Syracuse, Dionysius I (406–367 BC). Decadrachm, dies by Euainetos (unsigned) ND (405–380 BC), Syracuse.
Obv. A fast-moving quadriga driven to the left, the charioteer holding a kentron and reins, crowned by Nike flying above. Below, military gear and [ΑΘΛΑ].
Rev. ΣΥ-ΡΑ-Κ-Ο-ΣΙΩΝ. Head of Arethusa (Kore-Persephone) facing left, crowned with ears of corn, wearing a triple-pendant earring and a pearl necklace. One dot below the chin. Around the edge, four dolphins.
Gallatin RXXI/JII – SNG ANS 375 (same dies); Silver – 43.4 g – 33 mm – 12 h.
NGC AU* 5/5 5/5 Fine style. Exceptional quality, centred almost perfectly on the obverse and very good on the reverse. The blank is quite wide, with minor circulation marks. The patina is old and deep with light golden reflections. Superb to Uncirculated.
The decadrachms of Syracuse have rightly been admired since ancient times, not only for their impressive size and weight, but above all for the artistic talent and classical style they embody. They are regarded as the pinnacle of numismatic achievement in the Greek world, minted at the height of Syracuse’s power and glory, during the reign of Dionysius the Elder.
* Pursuant to Council Directive (EU) 2022/542 of 5 April 2022, which comes into force under national law on 1 January 2025, buyers from within the EU are required to pay 5.5% VAT on the hammer price of this lot.
* Pursuant to Council Directive (EU) 2022/542 of 5 April 2022, which comes into force in national law on 1 January 2025, successful bidders from within the EU will also be required to pay 5.5% VAT on this lot
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See original version (French)
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