Arethusa / Octopus
Syracuse (Sicily) - Litra
Description
Obverse: Head of Arethusa to left, her hair bound up in a sakkos, wearing a simple earring and a pearl necklace. To right, dolphin swimming downwards to left
Reverse: Octopus
It is very rare for the legend ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ to be as highly legible as it is on this specimen. In excellent state of preservation.
Details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Composition | Silver |
| Issuer | Syracuse |
| Ruling Authority | Dionysios I (405 BC - 367 BC) |
| Period of Issue | 405 BC - 400 BC |
| Weight | 0.77 g |
| Diameter | 11 mm |
| Orientation | ↑↑ 7h |
| Denomination | 1 Litra |
| Standard | Sicilian Litra |
| References | SNG ANS 5 #293-294; SNG Copenhagen #675; SNG Ashmolean #2018 |
Provenance
| Location | Description | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Lanz, Auction 153 - Lot 109 | Dec 12, 2011 |
| Qatar | The Collection of Greek Coins of a Man in Love with Art | - |
| Switzerland | Numismatica Ars Classica, Summer Sale 2025 - Lot 179 | Jul 30, 2025 |
| United States | Lelouch Collection | Current |