Apollo / Octopus
Syracuse (Sicily) - Hemilitron (½ Litra)
Description
Obverse: Head of Apollo to left, wearing tainia
Reverse: Octopus with entangled front tentacles
Quite an old provenance for a minor bronze coin, as it was posted online in 2009. With this as well I have all the dies of this coin CNS 11 1-3. Interestingly as well on Tantalus it is mentioned that the obverse is Ciane. The individual on the obverse has always been a mystery, with Calciati saying Dionysios, but CNG in more modern times believes it to be Apollo. This is the first time I have seen Ciane put forward, but it is likely not Ciane as Ciane seems to be a female nymph and not a male river god as further described in that original tantalus listing.
Details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Composition | Bronze |
| Issuer | Syracuse |
| Ruling Authority | Second Democracy (465 BC - 405 BC) |
| Period of Issue | 415 BC - 410 BC |
| Weight | 4.1 g |
| Diameter | 16 mm |
| Orientation | ↑↑ 11h |
| Denomination | 1 Hemilitron |
| Standard | Sicilian Litra |
| References | CNS II #11 (11/3); SNG ANS 5 #393; Boehringer #623; SNG Morcom #696; Holloway, Further #Series 1A |
Provenance
| Location | Description | Date |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Steve Cady Collection | May 23, 2009 |
| United States | Privately purchased from Steve Cady | Jan 25, 2025 |
| United States | Lelouch Collection | Current |