SICILY. Syracuse. Dionysios I, 406-367 B.C. AR Dekadrachm (43.17 gms), ca. 405-400 B.C. NGC EF, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5. Fine Style. HGC-2, 1298; Jongkees-7d (dies B/ζ; this coin cited); SNG ANS-357 (same rev. die); SNG Lloyd-1410 (same dies); McClean-2733 (same dies). Obverse: Charioteer, holding kentron and reins, driving quadriga left; above, crowning Nike flying right; below heavy exergual line, military harness, shield, greaves, cuirass, and crested Attic helmet, all connected by a horizontal spear; AΘΛA below]; Reverse: Head of Arethousa left, wearing hair in banded net, earring, and pearl necklace; ΣΥΡΑ[ΚΟΣΙΩΝ above], KI on front of hairband. Presenting a deep cabinet tone and a fairly well centered strike on an attractive round flan, this impressive and <strong>RARE</strong> specimen yields much eye appeal and allure, with a very clear "KI" signature upon the hairband of Arethousa. Undoubtedly a specimen that should generate tremendous enthusiasm for the connoisseurs of ancient treasures. Compare to a similar signed Dekadrachm of Kimon in our January 2022 NYINC auction (Lot # 4142), that realized a total of $360,000.
A timeless classic in terms of elegance and artistry, the engraving of Kimon is always prized among advanced collectors of the ancient world, as it reveals more of a realistic nature to portraiture, as opposed to the somewhat more idealized representations of his contemporaries, such as Euainetos.</em>
Ex: Ars Classica XVI (7/1933) Lot # 765.
Ex: Naville [Ars Classica] IV (6/1922) Lot # 362.
