Athena / Octopus
Syracuse (Sicily) - Litra
Description
Obverse: Head of Athena facing, turned slightly to the left, wearing triple-crested Attic helmet and plain necklace; around and behind her neck, four dolphins.
Reverse: Octopus
"The most ornamented” (Cicero) of all temples in Syracuse-Ortygia was the magnificent temple of Athena, and even though Artemis was born there, Athena worship thrived. While Athena appeared on earlier Syracusan coins, Eukleidas' groundbreaking innovation of facing heads (pre-Kimon) was likely a bold statement of Syracuse's victory over the oppressive, power-hungry Athens in the Sicilian Expedition, claiming Athena's favor as their own. No wonder Athens never depicted Athena with a facing head! This coin can be attributed to Eukleidas as he signed it's larger counterpart Tudeer 58.
Details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Composition | Silver |
| Issuer | Syracuse |
| Ruling Authority | Second Democracy (466 BC - 405 BC) |
| Period of Issue | 415 BC - 405 BC |
| Weight | 0.62 g |
| Diameter | 11 mm |
| Orientation | ↑↑ 6h |
| Denomination | 1 Litra |
| Standard | Sicilian Litra |
| References | Jameson #812 |
Provenance
| Location | Description | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown | Privately purchased in 1981 | 1981 |
| Switzerland | Numismatica Ars Classica, Spring Sale 2020 - Lot 161 | May 25, 2020 |
| United States | The Neale Collection of Ancient Greek Coins | - |
| United Kingdom | Noonans, Auction 307 - Lot 515 | Sep 25, 2024 |
| United States | Lelouch Collection | Current |