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48
Sicily, Syracuse. Second Democracy. Silver Tetradrachm (17.24 g), 466-405 BC. Charioteer, holding ken-
tron and reins, driving slow quadriga right; above, Nike flying right, crowning horses with wreath; in
exergue, ketos right. Rev.
S
VRAKO
S
I-O-N, diademed head of Arethusa right; around, four dolphins.
Boehringer series Xiva, 477 (V255/R342); SNG ANS 148 (same obv. die); Ward 254 (same dies). Lovely
old cabinet tone. Well struck on a nice wide flan. Extremely Fine.
$2,500
49
Sicily, Syracuse. Dionysios I. Gold 20 Litrai (1.15 g), 405-367 BC.
S
V
RA
, head of Herakles left,
wearing lion’s skin headdress.
rev.
S
-V-P-A in quarters, in incuse circle within quadripartite in-
cuse square, small female head (Arethusa?) left, wearing necklace. Bérend pl. XI, 3; Boehring-
er pl. I, 6; Rizzo pl. XLVIII, 7; SNG ANS 351-4. NGC grade XF; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5.
$750
50
Sicily, Syracuse. Dionysios I. Æ Litra (8.11 g), 405-367 BC.
SURA
, head of Athena left, wearing Corinthi-
an helmet decorated with wreath.
rev.
Hippocamp left, reins trailing. CNS 45; SNG ANS 434-46. Attrac-
tive glossy dark green patina. Choice Very Fine.
$200
From the Dionysus Collection.
The Athena / Hippocamp litrae come in several varieties - with and without legend, with and without olive wreath on helmet,
with and without a symbol on the obverse, reins trailing and no reins. Calciati notes that this particular variety, with obverse leg-
end and wreath, no symbol and trailing reins, is by far the most common, and also mentions that it is found throughout Sicily,
not just in the environs of Syracuse. This wide distribution is anomalous for a bronze coin. Fiduciary in nature and of minimal
value, bronze coins in ancient economies did not normally circulate far from their place of minting. Perhaps the reason for the
distribution can be found in Dionysios’ expansionist policies and nearly perpetual state of warfare with the Carthaginians. Like
most armies of the period, Dionysios employed mercenaries, and although mercenary armies were paid in silver, when they were
not on campaign they would certainly need small change.