v59_0006 - SICILY - SYRACUSE Tétradrachme
MONNAIES 59 (2013)
Starting price : 1 200.00 €
Estimate : 2 200.00 €
unsold lot
Starting price : 1 200.00 €
Estimate : 2 200.00 €
unsold lot
Type : Tétradrachme
Date: c. 480/478 - 475 AC.
Mint name / Town : Syracuse, Sicile
Metal : silver
Diameter : 24 mm
Orientation dies : 9 h.
Weight : 17,27 g.
Rarity : R2
Emission: groupe 3, série 8b
Coments on the condition:
Exemplaire sur un petit flan épais, bien centré des deux côtés à l’usure superficielle, parfaitement lisible et identifiable. Joli droit avec la cassure de coin de droit caractéristique. Belle tête d’Aréthuse au revers de style fin bien venu à la frappe. Patine grise de collection ancienne avec des reflets dorés
Catalogue references :
Obverse
Obverse legend : ANÉPIGRAPHE.
Obverse description : Bige au pas à droite, conduit par un aurige tenant les rênes et le kentron ; le bige est couronné par Niké volant à droite ; grènetis circulaire perlé.
Reverse
Reverse description : Tête d'Aréthuse à droite, les cheveux relevés et retenus par un diadème de perles, entourée de quatre dauphins.
Reverse legend : SURAKOSION
Reverse translation : (de Syracuse).
Commentary
Mêmes coins que l’exemplaire du musée royal de Copenhague (Cop. 621, pl. 14). Même coin de droit que les exemplaires de l’American Numismatic Society (ANS. 36-38, pl. I) provenant du trésor de Sélinonte (IGCH. 2084). Au total, nous avons seulement trois exemplaires recensés et aucun ne provient du trésor de Randazzo. Trace de cassure de coin ancienne au droit au niveau de la jambe du cheval qui vient mordre le sol.
Same dies as the copy from the Royal Museum of Copenhagen (Cop. 621, pl. 14). Same obverse die as the examples from the American Numismatic Society (ANS. 36-38, pl. I) from the Selinunte hoard (IGCH. 2084). In total, we have only three examples recorded and none come from the Randazzo hoard. Trace of an old die break on the obverse at the level of the horse's leg which comes to bite the ground
Same dies as the copy from the Royal Museum of Copenhagen (Cop. 621, pl. 14). Same obverse die as the examples from the American Numismatic Society (ANS. 36-38, pl. I) from the Selinunte hoard (IGCH. 2084). In total, we have only three examples recorded and none come from the Randazzo hoard. Trace of an old die break on the obverse at the level of the horse's leg which comes to bite the ground
Historical background
SICILY - SYRACUSE
(5th century BC)
Hieronymus, tyranus of Syracuse
The government of Syracuse, founded in 733 BC by Corinthian settlers, was ensured from 485 BC by Gelon, tyrant of Gela since 491 BC. He had won a victory at the Olympic Games of 488 BC (chariot race) and recalled this victory by representing it on the obverse of the coinage of Syracuse while the reverse was occupied by the head of Arethusa. This nymph, in mythology, resided in the island of Ortygia, opposite the city of Syracuse, in the form of a fountain of fresh water, (Virgil, Eclog. IV.1, X.1). Alpheus, a satyr, representing a river-god in the Peloponnese, near Phylace in Arcadia, had pursued Arethusa. At her request, Artemis transformed her into a river and only the sea allowed the nymph to escape the satyr. This legend made it possible to explain a hydro-geographical phenomenon: an underground river passes under the sea to emerge in the island of Ortygia. In 480 BC, the Carthaginians invaded Sicily but were defeated by Gelon at Himera. In 478, Gelon died and his nephew Hieron succeeded him.
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