My First Coin of 2021 and My First Decadrachm :)

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by 1934 Wreath Crown, Jan 14, 2021.

  1. 1934 Wreath Crown

    1934 Wreath Crown Well-Known Member

    Sicily, Syracuse. Dionysios I (The Tyrant)


    SICILY Syracuse. Dionysius Decadrachm.jpg


    SICILY Syracuse. Dionysius Decadrachm Rev.jpg
    AR Dekadrachm (36mm, 40.89 g, 7h). Reverse Signed by Euainetos. Struck circa 405-390 BC. Charioteer, holding kentron in extended right hand and reins in left, driving fast quadriga left; above, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer with laurel wreath held in her extended hands; below heavy exergual line, [military harness], shield, greaves, cuirass, and crested Attic helmet, all connected by a horizontal spear; [AΘΛA below] / Head of Arethousa left, wearing wreath of grain ears, triple-pendant earring, and pearl necklace; Δ below chin, four swimming dolphins around, [EY-AINE along lower edge]. Gallatin dies R.XI/D.I; Scavino 32 (D9/R19); HGC 2, 1299; SNG ANS 371 (same rev. die); SNG Copenhagen 691 (same dies); BMC 174 (same rev. die); Dewing 902 (same dies); Gulbenkian 314 (same rev. die); Pozzi 614 (same dies); Rizzo pl. LIV, 4 (same dies). Lightly toned, corrosion and roughness, some cleaning marks.
    From the Judy Day Frink Collection.


    Was pleasantly surprised when my bid won. Has a few scrapes and a pockmarked reverse but its my first decadrachm and I'm actually quite thrilled with it. Without going into a long history lesson, Dionysios I (Dionysius) (The Elder) was the tyrant of Syracuse who made it into one of the wealthiest cities of ancient Greece through conquests. The decadrachm was most likely used pay Greek mercenaries who helped his conquests and the general consensus is that these large coins were quickly melted down by the soldiers, hence the scarcity of the denomination.

    His policies of warfare against his neighbours was the main reason for his power but also his downfall. Some say he drank himself to death whereas others believe his son had a hand in his death.
     
    Last edited: Jan 14, 2021
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  3. svessien

    svessien Senior Member

    I imagine the «my first decadrachm day» must be a memorable day for a coin collector.
    I’m not sure if I will see such a day myself. :)
    Congratulations, Sir.
     
    Last edited: Jan 14, 2021
  4. 1934 Wreath Crown

    1934 Wreath Crown Well-Known Member

    I must admit my wife says I've got this rather goofy grin on my face ever since I won the coin :p:D
     
  5. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    You and me both haha.
    That is a great looking coin @1934 Wreath Crown! Congrats!
     
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  6. svessien

    svessien Senior Member

    I like to imagine this scene. :)
     
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  7. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

  8. rrdenarius

    rrdenarius non omnibus dormio Supporter

  9. DonnaML

    DonnaML Well-Known Member

    Utterly fantastic, especially the side with the quadriga. (I never knew until now that that's the obverse and the head of Arethusa is the reverse.) I'm certainly not asking you what you paid, but I'm curious as to what multiple of that price you would have had to pay if the reverse were as glorious as the obverse. A lot, I imagine.
     
  10. happy_collector

    happy_collector Well-Known Member

    Very nice coin! A great start of 2021. :)
     
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  11. kazuma78

    kazuma78 Supporter! Supporter

    About 4x as much or so

    Nice coin by the way! I was bidding until about half of the hammer, just as a low bid shot.
     
  12. 1934 Wreath Crown

    1934 Wreath Crown Well-Known Member

    At least, I would say. Still think I got it at a very competitive price. I've seen much worse looking examples go for 50-70% more than what I paid. Also, when you look at the obverse, even with the corrosion and damage, the portrait of Arethusa is still reasonably clear. Plus it is signed ;)
     
  13. panzerman

    panzerman Well-Known Member

    Sensational coin/ great start to your 2021 collecting spree. I also sicily-syracuse-405-400-bc-av-6649290-XL.jpg got my first coin from same "Tyrant"
     
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  14. 1934 Wreath Crown

    1934 Wreath Crown Well-Known Member

    Donna, you're not the only one. I found out about the obverse/reverse anomaly AFTER purchasing the coin:D:D:D
     
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  15. 1934 Wreath Crown

    1934 Wreath Crown Well-Known Member

    John when I grow up I want one of his AV coins too:happy:

    Great coin
     
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  16. 1934 Wreath Crown

    1934 Wreath Crown Well-Known Member

    And I got my first shot of the vaccine too:p
     
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  17. Only a Poor Old Man

    Only a Poor Old Man Well-Known Member

    Fantastic coin! :jawdrop:

    I am afraid I have no decadrachm to show...

    Unless you guys would be happy with two tetradrachms and a didrachm! :woot:
     
  18. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    Congratulations!

    Very nice style and centering.
     
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  19. 1934 Wreath Crown

    1934 Wreath Crown Well-Known Member

    Thanks @robinjojo. Many of the decadrachms don't have much of the quadriga on flan. Was quite pleased that this one does. Having got into ancients only recently, I'm learning a lot from all of you on what to look for in a coin.
     
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  20. AnYangMan

    AnYangMan Well-Known Member

    Wow, simply fantastic!
     
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  21. eparch

    eparch Well-Known Member

    Very true - this is the case with my example, which I was otherwise
    pleased with (although unlike yours mine is unsigned, making it cheaper than it would otherwise have been!)

    upload_2021-1-14_22-33-8.png
     
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