Description
Period of Finest Art: 412-345 B.C.
Syracuse in the classical period (c. 412–345 BC) moved from a brief restored democracy after the defeat of the Athenian expedition to an age of powerful tyrants and reformers. Dionysius I seized power in 405 BC and ruled until 367 BC, transforming Syracuse into the dominant force in Sicily. After him came his son Dionysius II (367–357 BC; briefly restored 346–344 BC), whose reign was interrupted by the philosopher-general Dion (357–354 BC) and a turbulent sequence of short-lived strongmen. Stability returned when the Corinthian statesman Timoleon landed in 344 BC, expelled Dionysius II, and refounded the city’s institutions.
Throughout this era, Syracuse’s silver tetradrachms were the city’s calling card—both a means of paying for armies and a canvas for exceptional artistry. The classic type shows a racing quadriga on the obverse, often with Nike flying in to crown the charioteer. At the same time, the reverse carries the head of the nymph Arethusa encircled by four dolphins and the legend of the Syracusans. In the late 5th and early 4th centuries, these coins reached a “fine-style” pinnacle, sometimes bearing the signatures of master engravers like Kimon and Euainetos. Struck on broad Attic-standard flans (~17 g), they display crisp detail—braided hair, dotted borders, and exquisitely modeled horses. Under Dionysius I, production expanded to fund campaigns. By Timoleon’s time, significant silver issues began giving way to Corinthian-style coinage, making the earlier tetradrachms the iconic face of Syracuse’s golden age.
An Exact Replica of the Original Coin
Diameter: 26 mm
BMC #195
Material: Silver-plated pewter
Obverse: Head of Arethusa, large band in hair from under which hair flows upward and backward in flame-like locks (but meant to depict her hair floating beneath the water), surrounded by four dolphins swimming
Reverse: Galloping Quadriga driven left by charioteer, holding goad, crowned by Nike, dolphin swimming left in exergue.
BECKER, BMC 195 Stamped on rim
Made in the USA
Packaged in a coin collecting flip with the description of the coin printed on the flip insert.
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