Lot 2056

Description

Sicily, Gela, (c.440-430 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (16.755 grams), obv. slow quadriga driven right by male charioteer holding goad, Nike flying to right crowning horses, in exergue an ear of wheat, rev. forepart of man headed bull to right with long beard, upside down and reversed above **GELAS, water plant before, (cf.S.795, Jenkins 385, obv. 78, rev. 159 [notes only six examples known of this variety], SNG Cop. 260 [same dies]). Irregular flan, stain below man headed bull, otherwise very fine and a very rare die combination.

The period saw a few dies using additional adjuncts on the reverse, the best example is the crowning of the man headed bull by the nymph Sosipolis (See Sear 794). This example with the water plant is only known from this die and only six examples were known to Jenkins.