Greek Coins
Camarina
Tetradrachm signed by Exakestidas circa 410, AR 16.82 g. Fast quadriga driven r. by helmeted Athena, holding kentron and reins; in field above, Nike flying l. to crown her. On exergual line, EΞAKEΣTIΔAΣ. In exergue, linked amphorae. Rev. KAMAPINAION Youthful head of Heracles l., wearing lion's skin. Rizzo pl. V, 11 (these dies). Jameson 523 (these dies). SNG Lloyd 871 (these dies). Kraay-Hirmer 152 (these dies). Gillet 366 bis (this coin). AMB 313 (these dies). Westermark-Jenkins 149.
Rare. A very appealing portrait work of a skilled master-engraver,
old cabinet tone and very fine Ex Spink/Gallerie des Monnaies 10 October 1977, 72 and Morton & Eden 24 October 2011 sales. From the Charles Gillet collection.
The brief series of the tetradrachms of Camarina, only 20 years (425-405), coincides with the period of the City's maximum splendour. It consists of only 13 obverse and 21 reverse dies. The representations on both remain largely unchanged on all the emissions: on the obverse a running quadriga driven by Athena wearing a chiton and crowned by Nike, on the reverse the bearded or un-bearded head of Heracles wearing lion skin. Only on Westermark-Jenkins 143 the signature EXE is visible on both the obverse and reverse; on Westermark-Jenkins 145 EXAKES is visible on the reverse and on Westermark-Jenkins 149, the one offered here, it appears in full, EXAKESTIDAS, on the obverse.