Athena / Octopus

Syracuse (Sicily) - Litra
Head of Athena facing, turned slightly to the left, wearing triple-crested Attic helmet and plain necklace; around and behind her neck, four dolphins.
Octopus

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

CompositionSilver
IssuerSyracuse
Ruling AuthoritySecond Democracy (466 BC - 405 BC)
Period of Issue415 BC - 405 BC
Weight0.62 g
Diameter11 mm
Orientation
↑↑
6h
DenominationLitra
StandardSicilian Litra
ReferencesJameson #812

Numista Reference

Provenance

LocationDescriptionDate
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