Sicily. Syracuse. Dionysus I, circa 405-400 BC. Litra (Silver, 10.93 mm, 0.79 g). ΣYPAKOΣIΩN, Head of nymph Arethusa left, wearing pearl necklace and with her hair bound by an ampyx in the front and a sphendone in the back; behind, dolphin; border of dots. Rev. Octopus with entwined central tentacles. SNG ANS 293 (same dies). SNG Copenhagen 675 (same dies). SNG Lloyd 1400 (same dies). SNG Ashmolean 2018 (same dies). E. Cammarata, “Da Dionisio a Timoleonte. Problemi di numismatica della Sicilia antica”, 1984, pl. IX, 88 (same dies). Buceti 543 (same dies). HGC 2, 1381 (same dies). Struck in high relief. A wonderful and incredibly detailed portrait with beautiful old collection toning. Extremely Fine. Rare.
Ex Sternberg XXXI, 28 October 1996, lot 741.