Quadriga / Arethusa

Syracuse (Sicily) - Hemidrachm (⁵⁄₂ Litra)
Quadriga driven right, driver crowned by Nike
Head of Arethusa left wearing sphendone and ampyx, between two dolphins

Description

Obverse: Quadriga driven right, driver crowned by Nike
Reverse: Head of Arethusa left wearing sphendone and ampyx, between two dolphins

A gorgeous and very sharply struck Arethusa. This specimen is published in Kreutzer SDK S. 92 Nr. 3.9. The combination of the chariot race scene (symbolizing victory and athletic prowess) with Arethusa's portrait creates one of Syracuse's most iconic coin types from the Second Democracy period.

Details

CompositionSilver
IssuerSyracuse
Ruling AuthoritySecond Democracy (466 BC - 405 BC)
Period of Issue415 BC - 405 BC
Weight1.84 g
Diameter14 mm
Orientation
↑↑
3h
DenominationHemidrachm (⁵⁄₂ Litra)
StandardSicilian Litra
ReferencesKreutzer Kleinsilbermünzen #Hemidrachm 3 (3.9, this coin)

Numista Reference

Provenance

LocationDescriptionDate
Austria
Astarte, Auction XIV - Lot 181
Apr 24, 2004
Austria
H.D. Rauch, Auction 86 - Lot 195
2010
Germany
Gorny & Mosch, Auction 310 - Lot 72
Mar 3, 2025
Germany
Gorny & Mosch, Auction 314 - Lot 118
Oct 14, 2025
United States
Lelouch Collection
Current