Considering an addition to my collection...

Regulated

Thoughts?

lordmarcovan

I already gave you a "you suck" for that pop 1/0 Bechtler over on the Liteside.

This will earn you another MASSIVE "you suck".

Helluva lot prettier than a Bechtler!

1jester

Thoughts, yes, but no words cuz I'm speechless!

Aethelred

I have always considered these Dekadrachms to be amongst the best looking coins ever minted.

500Bay

It's a beauty!

JCMhouston

It doesn't look all that bad for on old coin does it.

Actually that's got one of the most artistic looks I've seen on the obverse engraving, really nicely done.

Bjorn

If you can afford it, definitely...

Doogy

awesome! thanks for sharing that one!

Doug

MrEureka

I'd suggest waiting for a better one.

MrEureka

MrEureka

Regulated

I know this is heresy, but I prefer Euainetos to Kimon. When are those coming up?

SYRACUSIAN

The Syracuse decadrachm is never as hyped as the Athenian decadrachm, probably because the latter is so unbelievably rare. To me, it's the all time peak of numismatic art.


Here's one with Kimon's name on it, that will go for sale next month: Text





Greek Coins
Syracuse

Decadrachm signed by Kimon circa 404-400, AR 42.60 g. Fast quadriga driven l. by charioteer, holding reins and kentron; in field above, Nike flying r. to crown him. On the exergual line, in minute letters, KÉÌÙÍ. In exergue, display of military harness set on two steps and below l., ÁÈËÁ. Rev. ÓÕÑÁÊÏÓÉÙ Head of Arethusa l., wearing earring with pendant and beaded necklace; wavy hair bound in front with ampyx, on which the signature K, and caught up behind by net. Around three dolphins, while a fourth makes dorsal contact with neck truncation; on its body, the signature ÊÉÌÙÍ. Regling Syrakus 3. AMB 479 (these dies). Rizzo pl. LII, 3 (these dies). Gulbenkian 303 (these dies). Kraay-Hirmer pl. 42, 118 (this reverse die). Dewing 869 (these dies). SNG Lloyd 1409 (these dies). Jongkees 3.
Extremely rare. Toned, areas of corrosion and the usual die-break on obverse at
a very early stage, otherwise about extremely fine

Ex Hess-Leu 24, 1964, 80 and NAC 8, 1995, 170 sales.
Scholars have long attempted to ascribe Kimon’s decadrachms to an historical event as they seem in every way to be commemorative medallions. The Syracusan defeat of the Athenian navy in 413 at first seems an ideal choice, though current thought on the dating of this issue favors the victorious actions of Syracuse in the otherwise devastating invasion of Sicily by the Carthaginians from 406 to 405 B.C.
The most compelling reason to associate the Kimonian decadrachms with a military victory is the display of armour and weaponry that appears in the exergue along with the inscription AQLA, which indicates 'prizes', or at least 'agonistic contests'. Since it was a common practice of Greek soldiers to engrave dedicatory inscriptions on captured armour, a connection might be drawn between that practice and what we observe here.
The obverse scene of a charioteer guiding his team through a bend is devoted entirely to victory. Despite their inherent dissimilarities, the four elements of the scene exist in harmony: the driver is calm and composed, the horses toss their heads wildly as they charge forward, Nike floats above as if undisturbed by the great contest below, and the display of arms and armour is fixed, as if monumental.
If possible, the head of Artemis-Arethusa on the reverse is even more impressive. This die is especially important, as it is signed twice by Kimon: his initial K on the ampyx near her forehead and his full name KIMWN on the body of the dolphin below her neck. Considering his signature also occurs in miniature letters on the exergual line on the obverse, we have a coin that the artist must have considered to be among his best creations.

MrEureka

When are those coming up?

They're not, but others will.