REVIEW: FROM THE CENTRE OF POWER IN THE ANCIENT GREEK WORLD

When Syracuse in Sicily was the most powerful city in the Greek world, Dionysius I (c. 432-367 BC) was its master, a tyrant who laid the foundations of demi-god status for the future imperial figures of Alexander the Great and Augustus Caesar.

This Tetradrachm struck at Syracuse during his reign, circa 399-87, is a very fine example in the style of the engraver Eukleides and shows a charioteer driving fast, with a Nike flying above to crown him with a wreath.

To the reverse is the head of the Nereid Arethusa, with her hair floating upwards as if in water, and surrounded by dolphins.

A highlight of the 13 April auction of Ancient and Islamic Coins and Antiquities, this coin was previously sold in 1933 in the renowned Ars Classica Auction XVI in Lucerne.

Here it realised £9,000 against an estimate of £2,000-2,600.

The sale also featured 75 coins from the reign of the Emperor Hadrian, as well as an Aureus (gold coin) of Titus as Caesar, dating from 77-8 AD, portraying the laurelled emperor on the obverse, and on the reverse the figure of Roma in military attire with her left foot on a helmet and holding a spear. It sold for £4,000.