Silver Tetradrachm of Syracuse, Sicily, Italy, 16.97 g.
Title
Silver Tetradrachm of Syracuse, Sicily, Italy, 16.97 g.
Creator
Syracuse, Sicily, Italy
Date
c. 410 BCE
Description
Obverse: Facing head of Arethusa, wearing earrings, necklace, and headband, surrounded by dolphins; above, ΑΡΕΘΟΣΑ: Arethusa.
Reverse: Racing quadriga facing left with Nike above; stalk of barley in exergue; ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ: of the Syracusans.
Style/Period: Greek (ancient)
This coin, attributed to the artist Kimon, was one of the most influential coins of the ancient world because of its new facing composition on the obverse; similar facing female heads can be seen on coins from all over the Mediterranean (see 91.063, 91.064, 91.085, 91.088, 93.008, 93.009). The head depicts the Syracusan nymph Arethusa. Great detail is given to the eyes, which are large and clearly defined. Her hair, in earlier coins pulled back, flows freely around her. The dolphins pass through her hair, as though swimming in waves. The headband in many examples bears the name of the artist.
On the reverse, the typical sedately moving Syracusan quadriga has been transformed and now gallops in the midst of its race. The item just below the hooves of the horses probably represents a racing post that has been knocked down during the race. The charioteer turns his head back for a glance at the competition. These elements add a realistic touch to the traditional depiction. In the exergue, the ear of barley refers to the agricultural prosperity of the island. The prevailing view of the chronology of late fifth century Syracusan coins puts the coins with this feature in the last decade of the century.
-- Kelly Swett Riordan, LU '93
Bibliography: L.O.Th. Tudeer, Die Tetradrachmenprägung von Syrakus in der Periode der signierenden Künstler (Berlin 1913); C.M. Kraay, Archaic and Classical Greek Coins (Berkeley and Los Angeles 1976) 222-223.
On the reverse, the typical sedately moving Syracusan quadriga has been transformed and now gallops in the midst of its race. The item just below the hooves of the horses probably represents a racing post that has been knocked down during the race. The charioteer turns his head back for a glance at the competition. These elements add a realistic touch to the traditional depiction. In the exergue, the ear of barley refers to the agricultural prosperity of the island. The prevailing view of the chronology of late fifth century Syracusan coins puts the coins with this feature in the last decade of the century.
-- Kelly Swett Riordan, LU '93
Bibliography: L.O.Th. Tudeer, Die Tetradrachmenprägung von Syrakus in der Periode der signierenden Künstler (Berlin 1913); C.M. Kraay, Archaic and Classical Greek Coins (Berkeley and Los Angeles 1976) 222-223.
Source
Former collection of Ottilia Buerger. Purchased from Harlan Berk, 13-Dec-1991. Ex Benson collection.
Identifier
93.007
Rights
Wriston Art Center Galleries, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI,wriston-gallery@lawrence.edu,920-832-6890
Subject
Greek, Arethusa, dolphins, quadriga, hores, Kike, barley, Syracuse, Sicily, Italy
Files
Citation
Syracuse, Sicily, Italy, “Silver Tetradrachm of Syracuse, Sicily, Italy, 16.97 g.,” Lawrence University Classics Department & Ottilia Buerger Coin Collections, accessed November 5, 2026, https://thor.lawrence.edu/omeka/buerger/items/show/191.