Arethusa / Octopus
Syracuse (Sicily) - Litra![Head of Arethusa left, wearing helix earring, simple necklace with pendant, ampyx on which, E[V] and sphendone [adorned with stars]; in right field, barley grain.](/assets/greek/62/obverse.webp)
Description
Obverse: Head of Arethusa left, wearing helix earring, simple necklace with pendant, ampyx on which, E[V] and sphendone [adorned with stars]; in right field, barley grain.
Reverse: Octopus
One of 7 known, 18 including other dies. Listed in Kreutzer's Syrakusische Drachmen und Kleinsilbermünzen as Litra 4.1. Notably this die is signed by E[V] (the existence of the V is debated) which is attributed to Eukleidas or Euainetos. In my opinion it is Eukleidas, who created the tetradrachm reverse of Tudeer R58, which is a nearly identical Arethusa with the full signature of Eukleidas. It is additionally distinguished by the helix earring and simple necklace with pendant.
Details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Composition | Silver |
| Issuer | Syracuse |
| Ruling Authority | Dionysios I (405 BC - 367 BC) |
| Period of Issue | 405 BC - 400 BC |
| Weight | 0.87 g |
| Diameter | 13 mm |
| Orientation | ↑↑ 3h |
| Denomination | Litra |
| Standard | Sicilian Litra |
| References | Kreutzer Kleinsilbermünzen #Litra 4 (4.1, this coin) |
Provenance
| Location | Description | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Apr 3, 2013 | |
| Germany | Unknown G&M 310 Consignor (fellow Syracusan fractional fan) | - |
| Germany | Mar 3, 2025 | |
| United States | Lelouch Collection | Current |