Sicily (Page: 1) - Astarte XXIII

Sicily. Aitna. Circa 355-339 BC. Tetras (Bronze, 18.85 mm, 7.67 g). ΑΙΤΝΑΙΩΝ Wreathed head of Kore to right, wearing triple-pendant earring. Rev. Horse prancing to right with loose bridles; above, M. Calciati, CNS III, 145, 3. Campana, CNAI II, 55, 5a. SNG Morcom 507. SNG ANS 1158. HGC 2, 74. Green patina. Sharp details. Extremely Fine. - Sicily. Aitna. Circa 355-339 BC. Tetras (Bronze, 18.85 mm, 7.67 g). ΑΙΤΝΑΙΩΝ Wreathed head of Kore to right, wearing triple-pendant earring. Rev. Horse prancing to right with loose bridles; above, M. Calciati, CNS III, 145, 3. Campana, CNAI II, 55, 5a. SNG Morcom 507. SNG ANS 1158. HGC 2, 74. Green patina. Sharp details. Extremely Fine.

97 CHF 1'900

98 CHF 2'600

99 CHF 4'000

100 CHF 1'000

101 CHF 6'500

102 CHF 1'200

103 CHF 3'000

104 CHF 5'000

105 CHF 1'000

106 CHF 1'600

107 CHF 2'200

108 CHF 3'000

109 CHF 200

110 CHF 5'000

111 CHF 6'000

Sicily. Motya or Panormos. Circa 415-405 BC. Punic Didrachm featuring Segestan types (Silver, 20.81 mm, 8.14 g). Hound right standing on stag’s head and seizing it by the nose; above, small female head right. Rev. Head of Nymph right; on the left, ivy-leaf. Jenkins, Coins of Punic Sicily, Part I (Swiss Numismatic Review Vol. 50, 1971), Motya II series, pl. 4.35 (O18/R22 - this coin). Cfr. Gabrici, La monetazione del bronzo nella Sicilia antica, p. 46 (argumenting for Panormos). Old cabinet tone. Scratch on obverse and scattered marks. Very Fine. Extremely Rare. Ex G. de Ciccio Collection, Sambon & Canessa, 19 December 1907, lot 258. The Punic didrachm series was minted during a turbulent period in Sicilian history. After the Syracusans defeated the Athenians in 413 BC, Selinos resumed its conflict with Segesta in 410 BC. Facing renewed threats, the Elimian Segesta sought Carthaginian support, which led to Carthage subjugating Segesta and destroying both Selinos and Himera. This aggressive expansion alarmed the rest of Greek Sicily, but having just expelled the Athenians, they hesitated to intervene. The situation escalated when Hermocrates, a Syracusan exile, raided Punic territories in 407 BC, triggering a prolonged war that culminated in the destruction of cities like Akragas and Motya. In this context, the didrachm series, produced by the Siculo-Punic cities of Motya and Panormos, was likely used to fund Carthage's massive military efforts in Sicily. Segesta, newly under Carthaginian control and experienced in minting didrachms, probably played a key role in this production, as evidenced by die-sharing with Motya and Panormos. The presence of hybrid coins combining dies from these cities suggests a central mint, though its location is debated. While Jenkins and Hurter propose Panormos, Rutter argues convincingly for Segesta, which, considering the historical circumstances, seems the most plausible location." - Sicily. Motya or Panormos. Circa 415-405 BC. Punic Didrachm featuring Segestan types (Silver, 20.81 mm, 8.14 g). Hound right standing on stag’s head and seizing it by the nose; above, small female head right. Rev. Head of Nymph right; on the left, ivy-leaf. Jenkins, Coins of Punic Sicily, Part I (Swiss Numismatic Review Vol. 50, 1971), Motya II series, pl. 4.35 (O18/R22 - this coin). Cfr. Gabrici, La monetazione del bronzo nella Sicilia antica, p. 46 (argumenting for Panormos). Old cabinet tone. Scratch on obverse and scattered marks. Very Fine. Extremely Rare. Ex G. de Ciccio Collection, Sambon & Canessa, 19 December 1907, lot 258. The Punic didrachm series was minted during a turbulent period in Sicilian history. After the Syracusans defeated the Athenians in 413 BC, Selinos resumed its conflict with Segesta in 410 BC. Facing renewed threats, the Elimian Segesta sought Carthaginian support, which led to Carthage subjugating Segesta and destroying both Selinos and Himera. This aggressive expansion alarmed the rest of Greek Sicily, but having just expelled the Athenians, they hesitated to intervene. The situation escalated when Hermocrates, a Syracusan exile, raided Punic territories in 407 BC, triggering a prolonged war that culminated in the destruction of cities like Akragas and Motya. In this context, the didrachm series, produced by the Siculo-Punic cities of Motya and Panormos, was likely used to fund Carthage's massive military efforts in Sicily. Segesta, newly under Carthaginian control and experienced in minting didrachms, probably played a key role in this production, as evidenced by die-sharing with Motya and Panormos. The presence of hybrid coins combining dies from these cities suggests a central mint, though its location is debated. While Jenkins and Hurter propose Panormos, Rutter argues convincingly for Segesta, which, considering the historical circumstances, seems the most plausible location."

112 CHF 55'000

Sicily. Naxos. Circa 415 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 25.25 mm, 16.89 g). Head of Dionysos right, wearing stephane decorated with ivy wreath. Rev. ΝΑΞΙΟΝ, Silenos squatting nude on rock facing slightly right, head turned to left, holding long transversal thyrsus and kantharos; on the left, ivy plant growing upwards. HGC 2, 984. Cahn, Naxos 102 (V66/R84). Lightly toned. Minor scratch on obverse and some contact marks on reverse; minor die break on reverse, typical of the Cahn R84; edge intermittently smoothed with a file, believed to be done to fit the coin into a pendant, probably from the early 20th century or just before. However, of the most refined classical style, a masterpiece of Dionysian exuberance. Good Very Fine. Rare. From a Swiss Collection, formed in Ticino before 2005. This short-lived coinage, likely issued to fund Athens' ill-fated expedition against Syracuse, represents a notable departure from earlier designs. Unlike the archaic tetradrachms minted after Naxos' independence in 461 BC, these coins exhibit a refined classical style. The obverse portrays Dionysos with a cool, Olympian presence, his gaze and tousled hair reflecting contemporary Athenian monumental sculpture. The reverse shows Silenos in a more relaxed, humanized form, seated in a simplified landscape and anticipating his wine. This transition from rigid archaic forms to dynamic, lifelike depictions highlights the coin's artistic excellence and alignment with high classical aesthetics." - Sicily. Naxos. Circa 415 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 25.25 mm, 16.89 g). Head of Dionysos right, wearing stephane decorated with ivy wreath. Rev. ΝΑΞΙΟΝ, Silenos squatting nude on rock facing slightly right, head turned to left, holding long transversal thyrsus and kantharos; on the left, ivy plant growing upwards. HGC 2, 984. Cahn, Naxos 102 (V66/R84). Lightly toned. Minor scratch on obverse and some contact marks on reverse; minor die break on reverse, typical of the Cahn R84; edge intermittently smoothed with a file, believed to be done to fit the coin into a pendant, probably from the early 20th century or just before. However, of the most refined classical style, a masterpiece of Dionysian exuberance. Good Very Fine. Rare. From a Swiss Collection, formed in Ticino before 2005. This short-lived coinage, likely issued to fund Athens' ill-fated expedition against Syracuse, represents a notable departure from earlier designs. Unlike the archaic tetradrachms minted after Naxos' independence in 461 BC, these coins exhibit a refined classical style. The obverse portrays Dionysos with a cool, Olympian presence, his gaze and tousled hair reflecting contemporary Athenian monumental sculpture. The reverse shows Silenos in a more relaxed, humanized form, seated in a simplified landscape and anticipating his wine. This transition from rigid archaic forms to dynamic, lifelike depictions highlights the coin's artistic excellence and alignment with high classical aesthetics."

113 CHF 1'300

114 CHF 4'200

115 CHF 1'200

116 CHF 1'200

117 CHF 1'200

118 CHF 2'400

119 CHF 700

120 CHF 7'500

121 CHF 1'900

122 CHF 55'000

Sicily. Syracuse, Dionysios I. Circa 407-400 BC. Dekadrachm (Silver, 35.21 mm, 42.74 g). Charioteer driving fast quadriga left, holding kentron and reins; Nike flying above crowning him; in exergue, panoply of arms arranged on two steps, the lower inscribed ΑΘΛΑ ("prizes"). Rev. ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩN, Head of Arethusa left, hair bound in front with ampyx and caught up behind by net; four dolphins swimming around. Jongkees 13 (dies C/μ). SNG Spencer-Churchill 57 (these dies). HGC 2, 1298. Cfr. Numismatica Ars Classica 78, lot 218 (these dies). Scavino, RIN 2008, 13 (D3/R12). Lightly toned. The obverse die shows slight rust, with scratches, marks, and two small die breaks on the reverse. Nonetheless, an attractive specimen of this desirable issue, struck from a very rare pair of dies, an unsigned work of Kimon. About Extremely Fine. Very rare. From a Swiss collection, formed before 2005. This decadrachm of Syracuse, crafted by the legendary Kimon under Dionysius I, stands as the pinnacle of ancient Greek numismatic art—an absolute masterpiece of engraving. Struck during Syracuse's golden age, it showcases Kimon's unmatched skill: the lifelike beauty of Arethusa and the tragic quadriga transform this coin into a work of unparalleled brilliance. Coveted by collectors and connoisseurs, this is far more than currency; it is a timeless testament to artistic genius, an enduring symbol of Syracuse's grandeur and cultural triumph. - Sicily. Syracuse, Dionysios I. Circa 407-400 BC. Dekadrachm (Silver, 35.21 mm, 42.74 g). Charioteer driving fast quadriga left, holding kentron and reins; Nike flying above crowning him; in exergue, panoply of arms arranged on two steps, the lower inscribed ΑΘΛΑ ("prizes"). Rev. ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩN, Head of Arethusa left, hair bound in front with ampyx and caught up behind by net; four dolphins swimming around. Jongkees 13 (dies C/μ). SNG Spencer-Churchill 57 (these dies). HGC 2, 1298. Cfr. Numismatica Ars Classica 78, lot 218 (these dies). Scavino, RIN 2008, 13 (D3/R12). Lightly toned. The obverse die shows slight rust, with scratches, marks, and two small die breaks on the reverse. Nonetheless, an attractive specimen of this desirable issue, struck from a very rare pair of dies, an unsigned work of Kimon. About Extremely Fine. Very rare. From a Swiss collection, formed before 2005. This decadrachm of Syracuse, crafted by the legendary Kimon under Dionysius I, stands as the pinnacle of ancient Greek numismatic art—an absolute masterpiece of engraving. Struck during Syracuse's golden age, it showcases Kimon's unmatched skill: the lifelike beauty of Arethusa and the tragic quadriga transform this coin into a work of unparalleled brilliance. Coveted by collectors and connoisseurs, this is far more than currency; it is a timeless testament to artistic genius, an enduring symbol of Syracuse's grandeur and cultural triumph.

123 CHF 3'400

124 CHF 1'700

125 CHF 2'600

126 CHF 5'000

127 CHF 2'200

128 CHF 2'800

129 CHF 3'000

130 CHF 1'600

131 CHF 950

132 CHF 4'000

133 CHF 1'000

134 CHF 4'200

135 CHF 1'600

136 CHF 1'700

137 CHF 26'000