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View: Obverse
Tetradrachm of Messana with biga of mules
Greek
Classical Period
430–396 B.C.
Mint: Sicily, Messana (Zankle)
Medium/Technique
Silver
Dimensions
Diameter: 26 mm. Weight: 17.20 gm.
Credit Line
Henry Lillie Pierce Fund
Accession Number04.466
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAncient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsNumismatics – Coins
Catalogue Raisonné
Brett, Greek Coins (MFA), no. 0296.
DescriptionObverse: Nymph Messana, in a chariot with a solid left wheel, driving a pair of mules to left. Mules have right forelegs and right hindlegs raised, open mouths, ears erect, and tails horizontal. Lower folds of Messana's chiton blown by wind; in outstretched right hand, four reins, in drawn-back left, a goad.
Above, Nike flying to right to crown her with pendent wreath in right hand attached to taenia held in her left hand.
In exergue two dolphins meeting.
Border of dots.
Reverse: Hare leaping to right.
Beneath, a seahorse to left, body coiled like a serpent's with scales and fish's tail.
Inscription in Greek (retrograde)
Border of dots.
Round incuse.
Above, Nike flying to right to crown her with pendent wreath in right hand attached to taenia held in her left hand.
In exergue two dolphins meeting.
Border of dots.
Reverse: Hare leaping to right.
Beneath, a seahorse to left, body coiled like a serpent's with scales and fish's tail.
Inscription in Greek (retrograde)
Border of dots.
Round incuse.
ProvenanceMay 21, 1883, Rev. J. H. De Messine sale, J. Sambon, Milan, lot 156 [see note]. ]. Before 1902, William Greenwell (b. 1820 – d. 1918), Durham; July 1902, sold by William Greenwell to Edward Perry Warren (b. 1860 – d. 1928), London; September 1904, sold by Edward Perry Warren to the MFA. (Accession date: September 1, 1904)
Note: many thanks to Dr John Voukelatos for the De Messine provenance information.
Note: many thanks to Dr John Voukelatos for the De Messine provenance information.