Indice Dietro Avanti
Aretusa, la quadriga e la Vittoria di Siracusa
4.12.2011

Salve una mia amica ha 2 monete antiche, almeno così ci è stato detto. Vorrei una stima di esse se per voi è possibile. Descrizione: una è d'argento,l'altra credo sia di ottone, hanno uno spessore di 4mm e diametro di circa 4cm. Vi ringrazio.

Fig. 1
Cliccare sulle immagini per ingrandire
Roma, 18.12.2011
Gentile Lettrice,
le informazioni che mi fornisce a proposito delle monete per cui ha richiesto la consulenza sono davvero insufficienti; oltre tutto l'indicazione che una delle due monete potrebbe essere di ottone (ad osservare le immagini, non si evince alcuna differenza di colore tra le monete), non facilita il mio compito. Ciò nondimeno, nell'intento di assecondare comunque la sua richiesta, senza pretesa di rigore scientifico, ho raccolto, attraverso una ricerca nel web, alcuni elementi che di seguito sottopongo alla sua attenzione:

Tetradrammo1, Zecca di Siracusa, 485-467 a. C.2

Descrizione sommaria:
D. Testa di Aretusa3 a destra, capelli ripiegati dietro al collo e stretti da un diadema di perle, collana al collo. ΣΎRAKOΣION.4 Lungo il bordo quattro delfini.
R. Auriga con quadriga al passo a destra, sopra Nike che incorona i cavalli5.

La ricerca nel web di monete di tipologia simile a quella in esame ha prodotto i seguenti risultati:
  1. http://www.magnagraecia.nl/coins/Area_IV_map/Syracusa_map/descrSyrB_147b.html tetradrachm of Syracuse, 480/78-475 BC Obv. quadriga Rev. hd Arethusa Boehringer 147 (V65/R101) 17.4 g private collection B, 23,4mm.
  2. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=38998 Source THE NEW YORK SALE Auction XIV (10.01.2007) Lot 69  ( «  |  » ) Price 1600 USD Description GREEK COINS SICILY SYRACUSE. No.: 69 Estimate: $ 1800 d=31 mm Tetradrachm, about 460-440. AR 16.94 g. Slow quadriga r., the standing driver holds reins with both his hands; above, Nike flying r. to crown horses; in exergue, ketos r. Rev. SURAKOS-I-ON Diademed head of Arethusa r., her hair tied in a krobylos; wearing earring and necklace; around, four dolphins. Boehringer, Syrakus 208, 518 (these dies). SNG ANS 170 (this rev. die). Light tone. Almost extremely fine.
  3. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=34137 Source Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG Auction 40 (16.05.2007) Lot 238  ( «  |  » ) Price 6000 CHF (~4925 USD) Description Greek Coins Syracuse No.: 238 Estimate: CHF 7000 d=27 mm Tetradrachm circa 475-470, AR 17.14 g. Slow quadriga driven r. by charioteer leaning forward, holding kentron and reins; above, Nike flying r. to crown the horses. Rev. SVR - AKO - SION Head of Arethusa r., hair bound with beaded fillet and wearing earring and necklace; around, four dolphins swimming clockwise. SNG ANS 79 (these dies). Boehringer 230. Lightly toned and extremely fine.
  4. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=60435 Source Heritage Auctions, Inc. Auction Long Beach Signature Sale 3002 (18.09.2008) Lot 20009  ( «  |  » ) Price 1000 USD Description Sicily, Syracuse. Deinomenid Tyranny. Ca. 485-466 B.C. AR tetradrachm (23 mm, 17.28 g). Under Hieron I, ca. 475-470 BC. Charioteer driving quadriga right, holding kentron and reins; Nike flying right, crowning horses, above / Diademed head of Arethusa right, surrounded by four dolphins swimming clockwise. Cf. Boehringer series XI, 259-60 (V117/R-); SNG ANS 89 (same obv. die). Toned, good VF.From the Dr. Patrick Tan Collection. Estimate: 1000.00-1200.00 USD.
  5. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=60436 Source Heritage Auctions, Inc. Auction Long Beach Signature Sale 3002 (18.09.2008) Lot 20010  ( «  |  » ) Price 1100 USD Description Sicily, Syracuse. Deinomenid Tyranny. Ca. 485-466 B.C. AR tetradrachm (22 mm, 17.32 g). Under Hieron I, ca. 475-470 BC. Charioteer driving quadriga right, holding kentron and reins; Nike flying right, crowning horses, above / Diademed head of Arethusa right, surrounded by four dolphins swimming clockwise. Boehringer series XI, 278 (V129/R191); SNG ANS -. Good VF, a little off center. Estimate: 800.00-1000.00 USD.
  6. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=88116 Source Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG Auction 40 (16.05.2007) Lot 239  ( «  |  » ) Price 14000 CHF (~11491 USD) Description Greek Coins Syracuse No.: 239 Estimate: CHF 9000 d=26 mm Tetradrachm circa 470-465, AR 17.18 g. Slow quadriga driven r. by charioteer, holding kentron and reins; above, Nike flying r. to crown the horses. Rev. S - VRA - KOSI - ON Head of Arethusa r., hair bound with beaded fillet and wearing necklace; around, four dolphins swimming clockwise. SNG ANS 104. De Hirsch 551 (these dies). Boehringer 324. Well-struck on sound metal and with an appealing light tone, good extremely fine.
  7. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=88206 Source THE NEW YORK SALE Auction XIV (10.01.2007) Lot 65  ( «  |  » ) Price 2400 USD Description GREEK COINS SICILY SYRACUSE. No.: 65 Estimate: $ 3000 d=25 mm SYRACUSE. Tetradrachm, about 482-480 BC. AR 17.16 g. Slow quadriga r., charioteer holds reins with his l. hand, kentron in his r. hand; above, Nike flying r. to crown the horses. Rev. SUR-A-KOSI-O-N Diademed head of Arethusa r., her hair tied in a krobylos; around, four dolphins. SNG ANS 18. E. Boehringer, Die Münzen von Syrakus (1929), 125, 68 (this obv. die, rev. die of no. 70). Iridescent tone. Obv. Very fine. Rev. Good fine.
  8. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=106235 Source Heritage Auctions, Inc. Auction New York Signature Sale 397 (09.01.2006) Lot 12002  ( «  |  » ) Price 475 USD Description Sicily, Syracuse. Ca. 480-475 B.C. AR tetradrachm (22 mm, 17.04 g). Charioteer driving walking quadriga right, holding kentron in right hand, reins in left; Nike flying above and crowning horses / Diademed head of Arethusa right; four dolphins swimming clockwise around. Boehringer 123 (V56/R84); SNG ANS 33 (same dies); Randazzo 277-8 (same dies). Toned VF, test cut on edge. Estimate: 250-350 USD.
  9. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=145077 Source Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG Auction P (12.05.2005) Lot 1245  ( «  |  » ) Price 2000 CHF (~1646 USD) Description A Selection of Coins of Magna Graecia and Sicily from the A.D.M Collection Sicily Syracuse. No.: 1245 Schätzwert/Estimation: CHF 2000.- d=28 mm Tetradrachm c. 480-470, AR 17.37 g. Slow quadriga r.; horses crowned by Nike. Rev. Head of Arethusa r.; four dolphins around. Boehringer 353. Of fine late archaic style. Minor areas of porosity on reverse, otherwise about EF Ex Glendining’s sale 1950, Platt-Hall part I, 49 and Peckover collection.
  10. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=161700 Source Heritage Auctions, Inc. Auction New York Signature Sale 397 (09.01.2006) Lot 12003  ( «  |  » ) Price 750 USD Description Sicily, Syracuse. Ca. 480-475 B.C. AR tetradrachm (24 mm, 16.74 g). Charioteer driving walking quadriga right, holding kentron in right hand, reins in left; Nike flying above and crowning horses / Diademed head of Arethusa right; four dolphins swimming clockwise around. Boehringer 164 (V72/R113); SNG ANS 48 (same dies); Randazzo 334 (same dies). Toned VF. Estimate: 500-600 USD.
  11. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=161727 Source THE NEW YORK SALE Auction IX (13.01.2005) Lot 41  ( «  |  » ) Price 1900 USD Description GREEK COINS SICILY SYRACUSE No.: 41 Estimation: $ 2000 d=27 mm Tetradrachm, about 485-479. AR 17.24 g. Slow quadriga r., the charioteer holds the reins and a kentron, above, Nike flying r. and crowning the horses. Rev. SVRAKOSIO-N (retrograde). Head of Arethusa r., the long hair looped in the back into a pearl diadem; around four dolphins. E. Boehringer, Die Münzen von Syrakus (1929), 177, 331 (these dies). SNG ANS 106 (these dies). Extremely fine.
  12. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=162126 Source THE NEW YORK SALE Auction V (16.01.2003) Lot 45  ( «  |  » ) Price 1040 USD Description ANCIENT COINS GREEK COINS SICILIA SYRACUSE No.: 45 Estimate: $ 1300 d=26 mm Tetradrachm, about 455. AR 17.15 g. Slow quadriga r., horses crowned by Nike flying r.; driver holds reins with both his hands, kentron in his l. hand; in exergue [ketos]. Rev. SV-PAKOSIO-N Head of Arethusa r., hair rolled in a thin band; around, four dolphins. Boehringer 208, 512 (same dies). SNG ANS 164 (same dies). Toned. Obv. slightly off-center. Good very fine Ex H. H. Kricheldorf, Stuttgart sale 25 (1972), 31.
  13. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=169173 Source THE NEW YORK SALE Auction XI (11.01.2006) Lot 75  ( «  |  » ) Description GREEK COINS SICILY SYRACUSE No.: 75  Estimate: $ 3500 d=24 mm Tetradrachm, about 485-480 BC. AR 17.29 g. Slow quadriga r., horses crowned by Nike flying r.; driver, wearing long, sleeveless chiton, standing r. and holding reins with both his hands. Rev. SVRAKOSION Head of Arethusa r., wearing necklace, long hair in the neck looped into pearl diadem; four dolphins around. E. Boehringer, Die Münzen von Syrakus 1929, 136, 123 (these dies). SNG ANS 33 (these dies). Well centred. Good transitional style. Short flan. Extremely fine.
  14. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=169209 Source THE NEW YORK SALE Auction V (16.01.2003) Lot 41  ( «  |  » ) Description ANCIENT COINS GREEK COINS SICILIA SYRACUSE No.: 41 Estimate: $ 1400 d=25 mm Tetradrachm, about 480-475. AR 17.34 g. Slow quadriga r. on double ground line, standing driver holding reins with both his hands, kentron in his r. hand; Nike flying r. to crown horses. Rev. SVRAKOSIO-N Head of Arethusa r., the long hair looped in the back into a pearl diadem; around, four dolphins. E. Boehringer, Die Münzen von Syrakus (1929), 161, 254 (same dies). SNG ANS 87. Randazzo 425 (same dies). Toned. Short flan. Good very fine.
  15. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=181096 Source THE NEW YORK SALE Auction III (07.12.2000) Lot 96  ( «  |  » ) Price 5750 USD Description ANCIENT COINS GREEK COINS SICILY SYRACUSE No.: 96 Estimation: $ 2500.- d=25 mm Tetradrachm, about 485-475. AR 17.48 g. Slow quadriga r., the standing charioteer holds the reins in his l. hand and a kentron in his r. hand; above, Nike flying r. to crown horses. Rev. SVRAK-OSI-O-N Head of Arethusa r., the long pearled hair turned up and tied at back into a string of pearls and a broad hairband; she wears a necklace and is encircled by four dolphins. Boehringer, Die Münzen von Syrakus (1929), 134, 111 (these dies). SNG ANS 31 (this rev. die). Excellent transitional style. Exceptional condition of the obv. Good extremely fine.
  16. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=191330 Source Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG Auction P (12.05.2005) Lot 1241  ( «  |  » ) Description A Selection of Coins of Magna Graecia and Sicily from the A.D.M Collection Sicily Syracuse. No.: 1241 Schätzwert/Estimation: CHF 2500.- d=27 mm Tetradrachm c. 480-470, AR 17.13 g. Slow quadriga r.; horses crowned by Nike. Rev. Head of Arethusa r.; four dolphins around. Boehringer 68. Toned and good VF.
  17. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=191331 Source Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG Auction P (12.05.2005) Lot 1242  ( «  |  » ) Price 1500 CHF (~1234 USD) Description A Selection of Coins of Magna Graecia and Sicily from the A.D.M Collection Sicily Syracuse. No.: 1242 Schätzwert/Estimation: CHF 1400.- d=27 mm Tetradrachm c. 480-470, AR 17.36 g. Slow quadriga r.; horses crowned by Nike. Rev. Head of Arethusa r.; four dolphins around. Boehringer 105. Toned. Minor mark on reverse, otherwise a good VF.
  18. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=191332 Source Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG Auction P (12.05.2005) Lot 1243  ( «  |  » ) Price 1500 CHF (~1234 USD) Description A Selection of Coins of Magna Graecia and Sicily from the A.D.M Collection Sicily Syracuse. No.: 1243 Schätzwert/Estimation: CHF 1800.- d=27 mm Tetradrachm c. 480-470, AR 17.52 g. Slow quadriga r.; horses crowned by Nike. Rev. Head of Arethusa r.; four dolphins around. Boehringer 213. Of appealing late archaic style. Lightly toned and good VF.
  19. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=191351 Source Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG Auction O (13.05.2004) Lot 1386  ( «  |  » ) Price 1300 CHF (~1000 USD) Description A Selection of Coins of Magna Graecia and Sicily from the A.D.M. Collection Sicily Syracuse. No.: 1386 Estimate: CHF 1600 d=26 mm Tetradrachm c. 485-475, AR 17.38 g. Slow quadriga r.; above, Nike. Rev. Head of Arethusa r.; around, four dolphins. Boehringer 207E (this coin illustrated in the text). Toned, VF.
  20. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=191354 Source Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG Auction O (13.05.2004) Lot 1389  ( «  |  » ) Description A Selection of Coins of Magna Graecia and Sicily from the A.D.M. Collection Sicily Syracuse. No.: 1389 Estimate: CHF 1200 d=25 mm Tetradrachm c. 475-470, AR 16.99 g. Slow quadriga r.; above, Nike. Rev. Head of Arethusa r.; around, four dolphins. Boehringer 556. Lightly toned, VF.
  21. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=191370 Source Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG Auction 25 (25.06.2003) Lot 103  ( «  |  » ) Price 9000 CHF (~6781 USD) Description Greek Coins Syracuse No.: 103 Schätzpreis - Estimate CHF 10000 d=26 mm Tetradrachm circa 480-475, AR 17.28 g. Slow quadriga driven r. by charioteer holding reins with both hands; above, Nike flying r. to crown horses. Rev. SVRAKO – SI – O – N Pearl-diademed head of Arethusa r., wearing beaded necklace; around, four dolphins. SNG ANS 34 (these dies). Boehringer 124. Brilliant extremely fine Ex A.D.M. collection.
  22. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=394768 Source Heritage Auctions, Inc. Auction New York Signature Sale 3008 (03.01.2010) Lot 21231  ( «  |  » ) Price 7000 USD Description Sicily, Syracuse. Deinomenid Tyranny. Ca. 485-466 B.C. AR tetradrachm (25 mm, 17.09 g, 11 h). Under Hieron I, ca. 475-470 B.C. Charioteer driving quadriga right; above, Nike flying right, crowning horses with wreath / Diademed head of Arethusa right; around, four dolphins swimming clockwise. Boehringer group 3, series XIIc, 328 (V162/R229); Randazzo -; SNG ANS 105 (same dies). AU* NGC, artistic dies. A wonderful example. Estimate: 3000.00-4000.00 USD.
  23. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=418968 Source Heritage Auctions, Inc. Auction CICF Signature Sale 3009 (22.04.2010) Lot 20008  ( «  |  » ) Price 700 USD Description Sicily, Syracuse. Deinomenid Tyranny. 485-466 B.C. AR tetradrachm (24 mm, 17.03 g, 1 h). C. 485-480 B.C. Charioteer driving slow quadriga right, holding kentron and reigns; above, Nike flying right, crowning horses with wreath / Diademed head of Arethusa right; around, four dolphins. Boehringer grp. III, series VIa, 88 (V43/R57); Randazzo 251-2 (same dies); SNG ANS 22 (same dies). Fine NGC. Estimate: 600.00-800.00 USD.
  24. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=419031 Source Heritage Auctions, Inc. CICF Signature Sale 3009 (22.04.2010) Lot 20009  ( «  |  » ) Price 700 USD Description Sicily, Syracuse. Deinomenid Tyranny. 485-466 B.C. AR tetradrachm (22 mm, 17.30 g, 10 h). Ca. 480/78-475 B.C. Charioteer driving slow quadriga right, holding kentron and reigns; above, Nike flying right, crowning horses with wreath / Diademed head of Arethusa right; around, four dolphins. Boehringer grp. III, series X, 232 (V104/R158); Randazzo 390 (same dies); SNG ANS -. Toned VF. Estimate: 500.00-600.00 USD.
  25. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=419032 Source Heritage Auctions, Inc. Auction CICF Signature Sale 3009 (22.04.2010) Lot 20010  ( «  |  » ) Price 488 USD Description Sicily, Syracuse. Deinomenid Tyranny. 485-466 B.C. AR tetradrachm (23 mm, 17.35 g, 5 h). Ca. 475-470 B.C. Charioteer driving slow quadriga right, holding kentron and reigns; above, Nike flying right, crowning horses with wreath / Diademed head of Arethusa right; around, four dolphins. Cf. Boehringer grp. III, series XI, 247 (V111/R-; rev. die not recorded); Randazzo 418 (same dies); SNG ANS -. VF, reverse die deteriorated. Ex Stack's (22-23 April 2009), 1037. Estimate: 500.00-600.00 USD.
  26. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=421258 Source A. Tkalec AG Auction May 2010 (17.05.2010) Lot 16  ( «  |  » ) Description SICILY Syracuse AR-Tetradrachm, 17.18 g., 25 mm. 474-470 BC. Obv.: Quadriga r., Nike. Rev.: ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΟΝ Head of Arethusa r., dolphins. Boehringer Gr. 3, 12; Cf. SNG ANS 107. Nicely toned. Almost mint state Starting Price: 3000.00 CHF.
  27. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=491551 Source VAuctions Auction 211 (17.08.2008) Lot 11  ( «  |  » ) Price 1101 USD Description Lot 11.  Sicily, Syracuse. Deinomenid Tyranny. 485-466 B.C. AR tetradrachm (22 mm, 17.25 g, 8'). Under Hieron I, ca. 475-470 B.C. Charioteer driving slow quadriga right, holding kentron and reins; above, Nike flying right, crowning horses with wreath / ΣVRAKOΣION, diademed head of Arethusa right, wearing single-pendant earring and necklace, surrounded by four dolphins swimming clockwise. Boehringer 242 (V110/R165); SNG ANS 84. Lightly toned VF. Donated by: Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. Estimate: US$ 750.
Veniamo ora agli aspetti peculiari del campione in esame. Si è detto nella nota 1 che la moneta di figura presenta un diametro al di fuori della norma. Inoltre lo stile grossolano e le forme lisce e prive di dettagli non trovano riscontro nei campioni autentici del periodo. Alla luce di quanto osservato, pur nei limiti di una valutazione a distanza, ritengo che la moneta sia una riproduzione moderna.

Un saluto cordiale.
Giulio De Florio

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Note:

(1) Tetradrammo (argento). Raccolgo in tabella le caratteristiche fisiche dei tetradrammi della tipologia di figura presenti nei link sopra indicati:
Riferimenti Peso (g.) Asse di conio (ore) Diametro (mm)
Link1 17,4 - 23,4
Link2 16,94 - 31
Link3 17,14 - 27
Link4 17,28 - 23
Link5 17,32 . 22
Link6 17,18 - 26
Link7 17,16 - 25
Link8 17,04 - 22
Link9 17,37 - 28
Link10 16,74 - 24
Link11 17,24 - 27
Link12 17,15 - 26
Link13 17,29 . 24
Link14 17,34 - 25
Link15 17,48 - 25
Link16 17,13 - 27
Link17 17,36 - 27
Link18 17,52 - 27
Link19 17,38 - 26
Link20 16,99 - 25
Link21 17,28 . 26
Link22 17,09 11 25
Link23 17,03 1 24
Link24 17,30 10 22
Link25 17,35 5 23
Link26 17,18 . 25
Link27 17,25 8 22
E dunque, se la moneta in esame ha effettivamente, come sostiene la lettrice, un diametro di 40mm, essa è fuori norma. A maggior ragione quindi andrebbe controllato il peso della moneta che, presentando dei margini di oscillazione molto ristretti (da 15g a c.17g), consentirebbe di discriminare con maggiore sicurezza tra vero e falso.
(2) Come si osserva scorrendo le monete i cui link ho sopra riportato, nel corso del tempo lo stile dei tetradrammi siracusani che recano al dritto la testa di Aretusa e al rovescio la quadriga, si è modificato; la moneta in esame appare più affine al tipo di cui al link che segue, http://www.magnagraecia.nl/coins/Area_IV_map/Syracusa_map/descrSyrB_147b.html, battuto attorno al 480/78-475 a. C. sotto Gelone, tiranno della dinastia dei Dinomenidi di Gela.
(3) Aderendo ad una consuetudine piuttosto diffusa nelle città greche di Sicilia, Siracusa assunse, come emblema della città, la divinità fluviale di pertinenza, e dunque Aretusa. In proposito riprendo la voce relativa del portale dell'Enciclopedia Treccani on line (v. link): "Aretusa è la ninfa della fonte che sgorga nell’isola Ortigia (Siracusa). Una sorgente omonima nell’Elide (Peloponneso), lungo il corso inferiore del fiume Alfeo, fece nascere la leggenda secondo cui Aretusa, ninfa del seguito di Artemide, inseguita dal dio del fiume, Alfeo, riuscì a passare a Ortigia, dove però fu raggiunta da Alfeo, che nella forma di fiume aveva traversato il mare conservando pure le sue acque."
(4) ΣΎRAKOΣION (=dei Siracusani) è l'etnico della città nel nome della quale la moneta fu battuta. Riprendo dal portale dell'Enciclopedia Treccani on line (v. link) le note storiche che seguono concernenti il periodo: "Siracusa fu fondata nel 734-33 a.C. da coloni greci di Corinto nell’isola di Ortigia. La città fondò presto colonie nell’interno della Sicilia, tra cui Acre, la più antica. Nel 6° sec. Siracusa era governata da un’aristocrazia di γαμόροι (proprietari terrieri) a cui obbediva il demo; privi dei diritti politici erano invece i cilliri o cilliciri, discendenti dalle popolazioni indigene assoggettate. Nel 5° sec. Gelone, membro della famiglia dei Dinomenidi di Gela, si impadronì di Siracusa, la unì a Gela e vi assunse i pieni poteri. Distrusse la ribelle Camarina e, con il tiranno di Agrigento, Terone, vinse i Cartaginesi a Imera (480). ".
(5) Il tipo della quadriga esalta la partecipazione dell'aristocrazia siracusana alle competizioni olimpiche.
Indice Dietro Avanti