CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY
- Emperor:
- Time of Dionysios I
- Denomination:
- AE Hemilitron
- Composition:
- Bronze
- Date:
- Ca. 405 BC
- Obverse:
- head of nymph Arethusa facing left, hair bound with ampyx and sphendone, wearing hoop earring and wire necklace, dolphin to right?; all within linear border
- Reverse:
- wheel of four spokes; in the lower quarters, two dolphins; ΣΥ-P[A] in the upper quarters
- Reference:
- SNG ANS 411; BMC Sicily [Syracuse] p. 182, 243-246; HGC 2 1479; SGCV I 1186; cf. SNG Cop 696
- Size:
- 15.40mm, 4.0g, 1 h
- Province:
- Sicily, Syracuse
- Grade:
- aEF, fine style, boldly struck, high relief, tight flan, reverse slightly off-centre, smooth surfaces, dark brown patina
- Provenance:
- ex Triskeles Auction 21 (29 September 2017), Lot 21
- Information:
- An exemplary example of the numismatic art for which Syracuse is famous for.
The obverse of this coin shares the same style and die-axis as SNG ANS 411 (but not the same die). The die was struck on a tight flan so regretfully we are unable to see the complete symbol to the right of Arethusa. Based on what is visible, it is very likely a dolphin.
I, Peter A. Piliouras of Ancient Coin Traders irrevocably guarantee for life to the Purchaser that this ancient coin is authentic. If this coin is deemed not to be authentic by a professional certification service, then I will refund to the Purchaser the full cost of acquiring the coin (including shipping) together with the certification fees.
__________________________________________________
Signed: Peter Anthony Piliouras
__________________________________________________
Date