Both sides of an irregularly shaped silver-gray coin with relief decoration on each side.　
Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
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Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College

On the side of the coin on the left is a man on a four-horse drawn vehicle facing left, wearing flowing clothing, holding a stick in his right hand, and the reins of the horses in his left. Above flies a winged woman also in flowing clothing, holding a wreath to crown the man. Below, a line under the horses is an assortment of armor. The other side of the coin depicts the head of a woman facing left, wearing a necklace, her hair tied back with tendrils hanging down. Four dolphins surround her head along with partially legible Greek characters: Σ Υ Ρ Α Κ Ο Σ Ι Ω Ν Κ Ι.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1972.212
People
Signed by Kimon, Greek (415 - 400 BCE)
Title
Decadrachm of Syracuse signed by Kimon
Classification
Coins
Work Type
coin
Date
c. 405 BCE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe, Syracuse (Sicily)
Period
Classical period, High
Culture
Greek
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/195970

Location

Location
Level 3, Room 3200, Ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Art, Classical Sculpture
View this object's location on our interactive map

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Silver
Metal
AR
Technique
Struck
Dimensions
42.93g
Die Axis
5
Denomination
decadrachm
Inscriptions and Marks
  • Obverse Inscription: [ΑΘΛΑ ]
  • Reverse Inscription: ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ ΚΙ

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

Standard Reference Number
Jongkees 1

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Frederick M. Watkins
Accession Year
1972
Object Number
1972.212
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Obverse: Quadriga at gallop, to left, the charioteer holds a kentron and the reins and is crowned by a small Nike flying above; in exergue, panoply consisting of a cuirass flanked by grieves, and a helmet to the right; On the exergue line in minute letters the signature: KIMON; Below [ATHLA].

Reverse: Head of Arethusa, to left, surrounded by four dolphins. On the head band: KI/M on two lines; to r. SYPAKOSIWN




Publication History

  • The Frederick M. Watkins Collection, exh. cat., Fogg Art Museum (Cambridge, MA, 1973)
  • Stephan Wolohojian, ed., Harvard Art Museum/Handbook (Cambridge, Massachusetts, 2008)

Exhibition History

  • The Frederick M. Watkins Collection, Fogg Art Museum, Cambridge, 01/31/1973 - 03/14/1973
  • Re-View: S422 Ancient & Byzantine Art & Numismatics, Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Cambridge, 04/12/2008 - 06/18/2011
  • 32Q: 3200 West Arcade, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 11/16/2014 - 01/01/2050

Subjects and Contexts

  • Ancient Coins

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Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu