Arethusa / Wheel of Four Spokes

Syracuse (Sicily) - Obol (⅚ Litra)
Head of Arethusa facing right, wearing olive laurel wreath, crescent earring, and simple necklace; surrounded by a beaded border.
Four-spoked wheel with hub, single rim, and with struts; Σ-V-R-A within the quarters

Description

Obverse: Head of Arethusa facing right, wearing olive laurel wreath, crescent earring, and simple necklace; surrounded by a beaded border.
Reverse: Four-spoked wheel with hub, single rim, and with struts; Σ-V-R-A within the quarters

Notably these dies feature a crescent earring rather than the circular earring present on the Demareteion dekadrachms.

Details

CompositionSilver
IssuerSyracuse
Ruling AuthoritySecond Democracy (465 BC - 405 BC)
Period of Issue466 BC - 463 BC
Weight0.61 g
Diameter10 mm
Orientation
↑↑
3h
Denomination1 Obol
StandardSicilian Litra
ReferencesSNG ANS #124-126; Boehringer #392-405 (Boehringer 404 - O209/R284)

Numista Reference

Provenance

LocationDescriptionDate
United KingdomRoma Numismatics, Sale XXVII - Lot 67May 28, 2016
MonacoMDC Monaco, Auction 16 - Lot 15Jun 5, 2025
United StatesLelouch CollectionCurrent