Arethusa / Octopus

Syracuse (Sicily) - Litra
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
Octopus

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

CompositionSilver
IssuerSyracuse
Ruling AuthorityDionysios I (405 BC - 367 BC)
Period of Issue405 BC - 400 BC
Weight0.77 g
Diameter11 mm
Orientation
↑↑
7h
DenominationLitra
StandardSicilian Litra
ReferencesSNG ANS 5 #293-294; SNG Copenhagen #675; SNG Ashmolean #2018

Numista Reference

Provenance

LocationDescriptionDate
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