Sicily, Naxos (c. 450 BC), Silver Drachm, 4.2 gms., die axis 45°, head of Dionysus right wearing ivy-wreath and beard, rev. /KNAXION/k, Silenos seated to the left with bushy tail, kantharos held up to face with right hand (Cahn, op. cit., pl. 3, no. 56 (V 41/R 47); SNG ANS 518/19, both from same dies; Boston 305/6, also both from the same dies; SNG Cop. 486, same dies; SNG Lloyd 1152), areas of reverse and edge at 1 o'clock a little rough, otherwise toned, choice very fine and in the finest early classical style

Details

Sicily, Naxos (c. 450 BC), Silver Drachm, 4.2 gms., die axis 45°, head of Dionysus right wearing ivy-wreath and beard, rev. /KNAXION/k, Silenos seated to the left with bushy tail, kantharos held up to face with right hand (Cahn, op. cit., pl. 3, no. 56 (V 41/R 47); SNG ANS 518/19, both from same dies; Boston 305/6, also both from the same dies; SNG Cop. 486, same dies; SNG Lloyd 1152), areas of reverse and edge at 1 o'clock a little rough, otherwise toned, choice very fine and in the finest early classical style

Provenance

Purchased from Spink in 1946 for $80

Further details

In 476 BC Hieron, the tyrant of Syracuse, forced the entire population of Naxos into exile at Leontini. Following their return in 461 BC the Naxians produced the famous issue of brilliant Tetradrachms depicting a squatting Silenus; this coin is from one of several closely related issues of silver Drachms.