Arethusa / Octopus

Syracuse (Sicily) - Litra
Head of Arethusa left, wearing earring, necklace, ampyx and sphendone on which, ΦPI; beneath chin, dolphin and in right field, ear of barley.
Octopus

Description

Obverse: Head of Arethusa left, wearing earring, necklace, ampyx and sphendone on which, ΦPI; beneath chin, dolphin and in right field, ear of barley.
Reverse: Octopus

One of 20 known. Listed in Kreutzer's Syrakusische Drachmen und Kleinsilbermünzen as Litra 7.5. These dies are signed by the engraver Phrygillos who can be attributed via the signature ΦPI. This litra is distinguished espescially by it's reverse, which is a bit simpler as there are no entangling tentacles. The more common octopus design in Syracuse has the front two tentacles entangled.

Details

CompositionSilver
IssuerSyracuse
Ruling AuthoritySecond Democracy (466 BC - 405 BC)
Period of Issue410 BC - 400 BC
Weight0.78 g
Diameter13 mm
Orientation
↑↑
12h
Denomination1 Litra
StandardSicilian Litra
ReferencesSNG ANS 5 #277; Kreutzer Kleinsilbermünzen #Litra 7 (7.5, this coin)

Numista Reference

Provenance

LocationDescriptionDate
GermanyGiessener Münzhandlung Dieter Gorny Munich, Auction 79 - Lot 761996
GermanyGorny & Mosch, Auction 236 - Lot 67Mar 6, 2016
GermanyUnknown G&M 310 Consignor (fellow Syracusan fractional fan)-
GermanyGorny & Mosch, Auction 310 - Lot 76Mar 2, 2025
United StatesLelouch CollectionCurrent