Silver Tetradrachm of Catana (Katane), Sicily, Italy, 17.29 g.
Title
Silver Tetradrachm of Catana (Katane), Sicily, Italy, 17.29 g.
Creator
Catana (Katane), Sicily, Italy
Date
c. 431-404 BCE
Description
Obverse: Facing head of Apollo wearing laurel wreath; to right ΗΡΑΚΛ[ΕΙΔΑΣ]: Herakleidas.
Reverse: Quadriga racing to right past Ionic column; Nike flying above horses; in exergue, crayfish, ΚΑΤΑΝΑΙΩΝ: of the Katanians.
Style/Period: Greek (ancient)
Katane was a colony of Sicilian Naxos (see 93.004) south of Mt. Etna. In the early fifth century it incurred the wrath of Syracuse, whose tyrant Hieron expelled its inhabitants, but they returned c. 461 BCE. In 415 BCE Katane served as the base for the Athenians' unsuccessful invasion of Syracuse. Notwithstanding the years of trouble with the city, the coins of Katane show considerable Syracusan influence.
At the end of the fifth century, a number of master die-engravers who signed their coins were employed at Katane. One was Euainetos, best known for his racing quadrigas on the coins of Syracuse (see 91.032). Another was Herakleidas, whose signature is barely legible on the obverse of this coin. In the facing Apollo of the obverse of this coin, Herakleidas was probably influenced by the contemporary facing heads of Kimon (see 93.007) and Eukleidas (see 93.005) on Syracusan coins. His heads of Apollo have a similar fleshiness and luxuriant hair. The reverse also shows Syracusan influence; the racing quadriga had long been used as the main obverse type on Syracusan coins. The column in the background of the scene provides a sense of depth, which is also characteristic of Syracusan coins of the period.
-- Carol L. Lawton
Bibliography: C.M. Kraay, Archaic and Classical Greek Coins (Berkeley and Los Angeles 1976) 224-225.
At the end of the fifth century, a number of master die-engravers who signed their coins were employed at Katane. One was Euainetos, best known for his racing quadrigas on the coins of Syracuse (see 91.032). Another was Herakleidas, whose signature is barely legible on the obverse of this coin. In the facing Apollo of the obverse of this coin, Herakleidas was probably influenced by the contemporary facing heads of Kimon (see 93.007) and Eukleidas (see 93.005) on Syracusan coins. His heads of Apollo have a similar fleshiness and luxuriant hair. The reverse also shows Syracusan influence; the racing quadriga had long been used as the main obverse type on Syracusan coins. The column in the background of the scene provides a sense of depth, which is also characteristic of Syracusan coins of the period.
-- Carol L. Lawton
Bibliography: C.M. Kraay, Archaic and Classical Greek Coins (Berkeley and Los Angeles 1976) 224-225.
Source
Former collection of Ottilia Buerger. Purchased from Harlan Berk, 1992.
Identifier
93.006
Rights
Wriston Art Center Galleries, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI,wriston-gallery@lawrence.edu,920-832-6890
Subject
Greek, Apollo, laurel wreath, quadriga, horse, Ionic column, crayfish, Catana, Katane, Sicily, Italy
Files
Citation
Catana (Katane), Sicily, Italy, “Silver Tetradrachm of Catana (Katane), Sicily, Italy, 17.29 g.,” Lawrence University Classics Department & Ottilia Buerger Coin Collections, accessed November 5, 2026, https://thor.lawrence.edu/omeka/buerger/items/show/164.