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Syracuse, Dekadrachm (silver coin replica) 405-380
BC.
OBV: Galloping
quadriga driven r. by charioteer, holding goad, crowned by Nike flying
r. above. In ex., panoply of armour consisting of cuirass flanked by
greaves, with shield on l. and crested helmet on r.
R: Head of Artemis-Arethusa, or Persephone l., hair bound with
wreath of corn-leaves, four dolphins around.
ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΟΝ above head.
Beneath ΣVΣΟΚ (engraver's signature).
Customer's feedback:
Today I received
the reproductions I just purchased from you. Obviously, your coins are
always in the highest class of quality that makes them truly appreciated
by every collector, but I must share with you my absolute joy and
happiness with your recent production of the decadram of Syracuse.
This is truly a masterpiece. The obverse is perfect, and captures the
movement of the horses in quadrigemina WITHOUT the common dye rust and
wear, particularly over the head of the leading horse, a characteristic
that bedevils too many of the existing originals I have seen or handled.
The subtle wear (or absence of complete striking up over the hairline,
as it is sometimes explained) is an ingenious artistic element which you
have had the sensitivity to include in this wonderful re strike of a
coin felt to be the high point of classical Greek coinage by many. I can
not tell you how much pleasure it brings me to behold this coin. The
surfaces are well done, and the absence of centuries of the chemical
effects of Sicilian soil allows the viewer a less distracted view of
this true masterpiece. I want to thank both of you gentlemen profoundly
for bringing this level of numismatic art into the lives of those who
love it at a modest cost. An original, if you could find it in this
condition would cost over Dollars 40,000 at this point in time.
Thank you again,
M.C., USA |