Sicily. Syracuse. Deinomenid Tyranny, 485-466 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 25 mm, 17.14 g, 12 h), 475-470. Male charioteer, wearing a long chiton and holding a goad in his right hand and the reins in both, driving a walking quadriga to right; above Nike flying right to crown the horses. Rev. ΣYR-ΑΚΟ-ΣΙΟ-Ν Head of Arethusa to right, wearing neck­ lace and pearl diadem, and with her hair tied in a krobylos that is bound up and falls over her diadem; around, four dolphins swimming clockwise. Boehringer 294. SNG ANS 96 (same reverse die). A splendid, sharply-struck, well-centered and beautifully toned example; wonderful, clear details on the obverse, struck from a fresh die, and a finely made head of Arethusa, with a charming archaic 'smile'. Extremely fine.
From the Molard Collection, Switzerland, and from the H.K. collection, acquired from Tradart in 2009.