Sicily. Syracuse. Second Democracy, circa 440-430 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 26.12 mm, 17.18 g). Charioteer driving slow quadriga right on exergue line, holding kentron and reins; above, Nike flying right, crowning horses; below horses, grain of barley; in exergue, Ketos (not visible); border of dots. Rev. ΣYRΑΚΟΣΙΟΝ, Head of nimph Arethusa right, wearing pendant earrings and pearl necklace, with her hair held in broad band (taenia); four dolphins around. Boehringer 594 (V293/R397, same dies). SNG ANS 192 (same dies). SNG Lloyd 1336 (same dies). Rizzo pl. XXXVIII, 1 (same dies). Gillet 576 = Jameson 771 (this coin illustrated). Buceti 281 (same dies). MFA Boston 381 (same reverse die). Cf. HGC 2, 1313. Beautiful old cabinet tone. A very elegant portrait of fine style. Obverse struck from a slightly deteriorated die, otherwise, Good Very Fine. Very Rare.
Ex Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger 368, 25 April 2001, lot 51; Sternberg XXXIII, 18 September 1997, lot 8. From the Gillet Collection (Photo file n. 571) and Jameson Collection.