Lot 3455

Description

Sicily, Syracuse, (c.486-479 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (16.88 g), obv. fast walking quadriga driven to right by bearded male charioteer, Nike flying right crowning horses, dotted border, rev. **SURAKOSI ON around to right, head of Artemis-Arethusa to right, hair slightly waved and turned up behind under diadem of beads, four dolphins around, (cf.S.914, cf.Boehringer 95 (same obverse die No.45/new reverse die = Randazzo Hoard 257). Attractive bright tone with dark highlights, good very fine and very rare, an unpublished die combination.

Ex Alan Jordan Collection and purchased from Noble Numismatics Sale 65 (lot 1737) and from Italo Vecchi, Ltd., London, Auction Sale 17, December 15, 1999 (lot 123, illustrated).

Boehringer notes no examples from this reverse die, but the obverse die No.45 has been coupled with five other reverse dies. The example in the Randazzo hoard (same dies as our example) makes a new reverse die number making a total of six to the obverse die No.45.