Arethusa / Octopus

Syracuse (Sicily) - Litra
Head of Arethusa facing right, wearing pearl taenia, simple necklace, and pendant earring; hair brushed forward; legend ΣVRA (retrograde "R") in the right field; surrounded by a beaded border
Octopus with the fourth tentacle bending left

Description

Obverse: Head of Arethusa facing right, wearing pearl taenia, simple necklace, and pendant earring; hair brushed forward; legend ΣVRA (retrograde "R") in the right field; surrounded by a beaded border
Reverse: Octopus with the fourth tentacle bending left

This particular specimen shows excellent detail on the obverse portrait

Details

CompositionSilver
IssuerSyracuse
Ruling AuthoritySecond Democracy (466 BC - 405 BC)
Period of Issue460 BC - 450 BC
Weight0.59 g
Diameter11 mm
Orientation
↑↑
9h
Denomination1 Litra
StandardSicilian Litra
ReferencesBoehringer #462-464 (Boehringer 462 (O246/R332)); SNG Copenhagen #641

Numista Reference

Provenance

LocationDescriptionDate
United KingdomThe Collection of Jacqueline Morineau Humphris-
United KingdomNaville Numismatics, Auction 97 - Lot 61Aug 10, 2025
United StatesLelouch CollectionCurrent