Ancient Greek Silver Tetradrachm Coin from Messana Sicily - 478 BC

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Ancient Greek Silver Tetradrachm Coin from Messana Sicily - 478 BC:
$1205.50

An iconic Classical Greek coin. A beautiful silver tetradrachm minted in the city of Messana (formerly Zankle) on the island of Sicily, circa 478 BC.

The obverse (image ii) with the old Tyrant of Messana, Anaxilas. He is shown bearded and seated in a chariot, drawn right by two mules as he holds reins and a goad. Olive leaf in exergue.

The reverse (image i) shows a young hare with pricked ears bounding right. The legend the Messenians\"

Anaxilas became master of the South Italian city of Rhegion in 494 BC and soon after, conquered the neighbouring Sicilian city of Zankle, renaming it Messana.

It would seem that the tyrant was a rather proud man as around the 480\'s he replaced the old coinage of both Rhegion and Messana with his celebrated biga and hare types, exemplified by the present coin. The new types boast of some of his most notable achievements. We know from the writings of Aristotle that Anaxilas won the mule-biga race at the Olympic games of 484 or 480, an event which is proudly commemorated on the obverse of this tetradrachm. The charming reverse type of the bounding hare celebrates another of the Tyrant\'s successes, for it is also written that he was responsible for introducing the hare to Sicily, where it has henceforth mm.

Weight: 17.35 g.

Provenance:

Ex. British private collection.

Please note: This is a genuine ancient Greek silver tetradrachm. This piece is offered for sale without reserve to promote our extensive inventory of antiquities and ancient coins.

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