Sicily. Panormos (as Ziz). Siculo-Punic Coinage, circa 390-330 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 25.91 mm, 17.11 g). Charioteer driving quadriga galloping left, holding kentron and reins; above, Nike flying right, crowning him; in exergue, swan with flapping wings; border of dots. Rev. Female head of nymph (or Tanit-Arethusa) left, wearing ampyx, triple pendant earring and pearl necklace; around, three dolphins; all within shallow incuse circle. Jenkins, SNR 50 (1971), pl. 10, 37 (O10/R31, same dies). Viola CNP 332 (same dies). SNG ANS -. SNG Lloyd -. SNG Lockett -. Rizzo pl. LXV, 13 (same dies). Buceti 64 = HGC 2, 1013 (same dies). Jameson 731 (same obverse die). A female portrait of an unusually fine style. Attractive old cabinet tone with some light iridescence. Good Very Fine. Very Rare.

Ex Triton II, 1 December 1998, lot 206.

In the Jenkins cataloging, the obverse O9 and O10 have no legend (sys) but symbols, ketos and swan respectively. This group's reverses exhibit a Late Classical Greek character, yet identifying a single exact influence is challenging. Nonetheless, they clearly echo the practice of Syracuse’s finest master engravers. The dies’ engraver for this coin was evidently a consummate craftsman, and, unlike many of the more stylized Punic issues, the naturalistic rendering here signals the hand of a superior artist.