Arethusa / Octopus

Syracuse (Sicily) - Litra
Head of Arethusa right, wearing pendant earring, beaded pearl taenia (headband), and beaded pearl necklace, hair looped up under taenia
Octopus

Description

Obverse: Head of Arethusa right, wearing pendant earring, beaded pearl taenia (headband), and beaded pearl necklace, hair looped up under taenia
Reverse: Octopus

Retrograde R. The last (top right) tentacle also curves a lot to the left. I believe it is Boehringer 460 (O224/R330) as R330 based on tentacle positioning and O224 based on A positioning.

Details

CompositionSilver
IssuerSyracuse
Ruling AuthoritySecond Democracy (465 BC - 405 BC)
Period of Issue466 BC - 460 BC
Weight0.7 g
Diameter12.5 mm
Orientation
↑↑
4h
DenominationLitra
StandardSicilian Litra
ReferencesSNG ANS 5 #137,139; Boehringer #449-467 (Boehringer 460 - O224/R330)

Numista Reference

Provenance

LocationDescriptionDate
San Marino
Artemide Aste, Auction LXI - Lot 132
Oct 26, 2024
United States
Lelouch Collection
Current