Lot 628
628
Sicily, Akragas (c. 410 BC), Silver Tetradrachm, 17.10 gms., die axis 225°, two eagles standing right on dead hare lying upside down, the nearest eagle with wings furled and head thrown back, screaming, the far eagle with wings spread and head lowered about to tear at its prey, /KAKRAG/k around, rev. /KAKRAGANTINON/k around crab, Skylla facing left below, her upper body female, her lower body that of coiled serpent with with tail and fins, foreparts of two dogs grow out of her midsection (Seltman, The engravers of the Akragantine decadrachms, NC, 1948, p. 6 and pl. I, ii; Boston 234, same dies; SNG Lloyd 821), the obverse die in the process of breaking when this coin was struck, otherwise choice very fine, clear in all details and extremely rare

Details
Sicily, Akragas (c. 410 BC), Silver Tetradrachm, 17.10 gms., die axis 225°, two eagles standing right on dead hare lying upside down, the nearest eagle with wings furled and head thrown back, screaming, the far eagle with wings spread and head lowered about to tear at its prey, /KAKRAG/k around, rev. /KAKRAGANTINON/k around crab, Skylla facing left below, her upper body female, her lower body that of coiled serpent with with tail and fins, foreparts of two dogs grow out of her midsection (Seltman, The engravers of the Akragantine decadrachms, NC, 1948, p. 6 and pl. I, ii; Boston 234, same dies; SNG Lloyd 821), the obverse die in the process of breaking when this coin was struck, otherwise choice very fine, clear in all details and extremely rare
Provenance
Purchased from Dr. Jacob Hirsch in 1948 for $1800
R. Jameson Collection, no. 509
Sambon Sale, December 1907, lot 90
Further details
In a span of approximately fifteen years between about 420 BC and the destruction of the city by Carthage in 406 BC, Akragas produced some of the most brilliant Greek coins. This composition of two eagles tearing at their prey is exceptionally powerful and dramatic. The type with the sea-monster on the reverse is the rarest of those produced by Akragas in its final years; about a dozen specimens survive.