Ancients SICILY. Syracuse. Dionysius I (ca. 405-395 BC). AV

Ancients
SICILY. Syracuse. Dionysius I (ca. 405-395 BC). AV 100-litrai (14mm, 5.80 gm, 2h). NGC Choice AU★ 5/5 - 5/5, Fine Style. Struck ca. 400-370 BC. ΣYPAKOΣIΩ, head of Arethusa left, hair bound in saccos decorated with two stars, wearing triple-pendant earring and beaded necklace; eight-pointed star behind / Heracles kneeling right, strangling the Nemean lion. De Luynes 1238 (same dies). SNG ANS 336. Bérend 38.8. Rizzo pl. LIII, 11. The delicate fine style obverse and meticulous powerful reverse showcase why the Syracusan masters are considered the height of Greek coin artistry.

Ex Michel Eddé Collection (Nina Jidejian. Lebanon and the Greek World, 333 to 64 BC Portraits of Alexander the Great, the Ptolemies, the Seleucid and Armenian Kings illustrated by coins in the Michel Eddé Collection), Araya, p. 137.

The reverse image of Heracles strangling the Nemean Lion is a work of great power and pathos, and probably is intended to reflect the ongoing struggle between Syracuse (Heracles) and Carthage (lion) for control of Sicily. Dionysius I had just won a great victory over Carthage in 396 BC, providing the impetus for this attractive series of gold pieces. The engraver has captured the moment of maximum tension, with Heracles tightening his grip around the lion's neck and mane while it claws desperately against his legs for escape.

https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/sicily-syracuse-dionysius-i-ca-405-395-bc-av-100-litrai-14mm-580-gm-2h-ngc-choice-auand-9733-5-5-5-5-fine-style/p/3109-131001.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3109-08172023

HID02906262019

© 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

Estimate: 40000-50000 USD