Greek Coins
Syracuse
Tetradrachm of the Demareteion series circa 465, AR 17.38 g. Slow quadriga driven r. by charioteer, wearing chiton , holding reins in both hands and kentron in l.; above, Nike flying r. to crown the horses. In exergue, lion running r. Rev. SV – RAK – OSI – ON Head of Arethusa r., wearing olive wreath, earring and necklace, framed within a circle and surrounded by four dolphins swimming clockwise. BMC 64 (these dies). Jameson 753 (these dies). Boston 357 (these dies). SNG ANS 121. Karl-Heinz Sult, ”Zur sogenannten Damareteion-Reihe von Syrakus”, 380.15 and pl. 4, R 269 / V 195 (this coin). Boehringer 380.
Very rare. An attractive specimen of this desirable and important issue perfectly
centered on a very broad flan and with a magnificent old cabinet tone.
Unobtrusive areas of weakness, otherwise about extremely fine Ex Leu-M&M 28 May 1974, Kunstfreund, 104; Leu 86, 2003, 279 and Morton & Eden 51, 2011, sales. From the Charles Gillet and de Guermantes collections.