Arethusa ¾ / Octopus

Syracuse (Sicily) - Tetras (⅓ Litra)
Head of Arethusa, ¾ left, wearing necklace and ampyx, hair floating freely.
Octopus

Description

Obverse: Head of Arethusa, ¾ left, wearing necklace and ampyx, hair floating freely.
Reverse: Octopus

A spectacular green patina featuring the iconic facing head of Arethusa. It is impressive that the Syracusans commanded such a small but detailed portrait for their smallest of coinage.

Details

CompositionBronze
IssuerSyracuse
Ruling AuthoritySecond Democracy (465 BC - 405 BC)
Period of Issue405 BC - 405 BC
Weight1.57 g
Diameter16 mm
Orientation
↑↑
4h
Denomination1 Tetras
StandardSicilian Litra
ReferencesCNS II #29; SNG Copenhagen #679; AMB Basel #491; SNG Munich 5 #1107; HGC 2 #1432; SNG ANS 5 #385-388

Numista Reference

Provenance

LocationDescriptionDate
San MarinoArtemide Aste, Auction LXI - Lot 220May 4, 2024
United StatesLelouch CollectionCurrent

Additional Images

Additional Image 1Additional Image 2