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

I believe it is Boehringer 429 (O227/R306) mostly due to the space relative to the back of the head and the border, which is much greater in those dies than most others. Notably as well, not an actually an octopus as it has seven limbs. Everyone calls it an octopus though as proportionally it is correct, and the other coins of Syracuse feature an eight-armed octopus.

Details

CompositionSilver
IssuerSyracuse
Ruling AuthoritySecond Democracy (466 BC - 405 BC)
Period of Issue460 BC - 450 BC
Weight0.81 g
Diameter12 mm
Orientation
↑↑
2h
Denomination1 Litra
StandardSicilian Litra
ReferencesBoehringer #423-430 (Boehringer 429 - O227/R306); SNG ANS 5 #132-133; HGC 2 #1375

Numista Reference

Provenance

LocationDescriptionDate
AustriaArtemide Kunstauktionen, e-Live Auction 37 - Lot 108Apr 4, 2025
United StatesLelouch CollectionCurrent