Sicily. Leontinoi. Circa 430-425 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 26.76 mm, 17.59 g). Laureate head of Apollo left, wearing curly flowing hair. Rev. LEO - N - TI – NON, Head of roaring lion left and protruding tongue; behind, laurel leaf; around, three barley grains. C. Boehringer, Leontinoi, pl. 12, 55 (same dies). SNG ANS 256-257 (same dies). SNG Lloyd 1063 (same dies). SNG München 559 (same dies). Rizzo pl. XXIV, 4 (same dies). AMB 353 (same dies). Buceti 32 (same dies). HGC 2, 671 (same dies). Usual die break on obverse. Beautiful iridescent tone; a spectacular coin. Virtually as struck. Rare.
Engraved by a master in a refined Classic style, identified by Rizzo as, the "Master of the Leaf " (Maestro della foglia ), because of his use of leaves as a form of signature. He was an exceptionally talented and skilled master-engraver.