The Stack’s Bowers Galleries January 2025 NYINC Auction features a stellar catalog of high-end ancient coins, including numerous standouts from the island of Sicily, famed among numismatists for its skillful and artistic die engravers. Perhaps no coin better embodies the cultural and commercial prosperity of this island in the Classical period than the famed Dekadrachms of Syracuse, an example of which is offered in lot 31021.
Syracuse, in its 5th century B.C. golden age, was inarguably the greatest and most powerful city among all the numerous Greek polities established by colonists across Sicily and Italy. Its strategic location on the eastern coast of Sicily and natural harbor enabled it to amass tremendous wealth through trade. This allowed the city to overpower the smaller cities that surrounded it and establish firm control over much of the island and its economy. To facilitate trade and pay the vast mercenary armies needed to enforce its rule, Syracuse produced an output of high denomination silver coinage on a scale matched only by that of Athens.
Syracuse’s largest and most emblematic coin was the imposing Dekadrachm, weighing over 40 grams of fine silver. Syracusan die engravers made full use of this oversized canvas, producing some of the most elaborate and beautiful designs ever struck on coins. The obverse features a speeding quadriga, while the reverse depicts Arethousa, the city’s mythological nymph. The lifelike fluidity of the horses and ethereal feminine beauty of Arethousa elevate the coin to a piece of fine art. First produced by the master engraver Kimon, this design was soon after perfected by Euainetos, whose hand undoubtedly produced the dies for this example despite the lack of his signature.
The splendid beauty of this design clearly made an impression on those who beheld it; later Syracusan even Carthaginian engravers in Sicily copied Euainetos’ style, albeit shrunken down for Tetradrachms. But none surpassed the original. Virtually all collectors of Greek coinage aspire to own one of these treasures, and our offering is sure to find an eager pool of bidders.
We are always seeking coins, medals, and paper money for our future auctions, and are currently accepting consignments for our August 2025 ANA Showcase auction. Additionally, you can consign to one of our Collectors Choice Online (CCO) auctions, the next for which we are currently accepting consignments is set for May 2025. If you would like to learn more about consigning, whether a singular item or an entire collection, please contact one of our consignment directors today and we will assist you in achieving the best possible return on your material.
