Sicily. Syracuse. Dionysus I, circa 405-400 BC. Tetradrachm or 20 Litrai (Gold, 10.46 mm, 1.16 g). ΣΥΡΑ, Head of Herakles left, wearing lion's skin headdress. Rev. Σ - Υ - Ρ - Α, Quadripartite incuse square; in deeper incuse circle in center, small head of Arethusa left, wearing ampyx and sphendone. C. Boehringer, "Zu Finanzpolitik und Münzprägung des Dionysios von Syrakus," in Essays in honor of Margaret Thompson, pl. 38, 13. D. Bérend, “Le monnayage d'or de Syracuse sous Denys I”, in Atti dell' VIII Convegno, Napoli 1983, pp. 91-108, pl. XI, 6 (same dies). SNG ANS 351 (same dies). SNG Copenhagen 684 (same dies). Rizzo pl. XLVIII, 9 (same dies). Dewing 866 (same dies). Buceti 476. HGC 2, 1289. Beautiful portrait of the young Herakles. Good Very Fine. Rare.
Ex Classical Numismatic Group 66, 19 May 2004, lot 140; Vinchon 29 April 1974, lot 30. From the Peyrefitte Collection.