Not currently on display at the V&A

Dekadrachm Head of Arethusa

Coin (Tetradrachm)
ca. 406-345 BC (made)
Artist/Maker
Euainetos (artist)
Place of origin
Greece (made)

This ancient Greek coin is a dekadrachm of Syracuse, signed by Euainetos. A drachm is the basic monetary unit in ancient Greece (and still today), originating from the word 'dragma', which means 'handful'. A drachm is a medium sized coin, weighing around 4 grams and with a diameter of about 1.6 to 1.9 cm. A Dekadrachme (ten-drachm) is a larger silver coin, which weighs around 40 grams. Greek coins were made by a crude form of striking, the rough blank of metal being placed between two dies engraved with the required image and the whole assemblage being hit with a hammer, thus obverse and reverse were impressed simultaneously, sometimes with uneven results.
The coins bequeathed to the V&A by George Salting include examples of silver coins from Syracuse of the 4th century BC, a set of gold imperial coins of Rome, and some fine specimens of bronze denarii of the Roman Empire.


Object details

Categories
Coins & Medals
Myths & Legends
Sculpture
Portraits
Object type
Coin (tetradrachm)
TitleDekadrachm Head of Arethusa (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Silver
Silver
Brief description
Coin, dekadrachm of Syracuse, silver, head of Arethusa / quadriga, by Euainetos, Greek, ca. 406-345 BC
Physical description
Obverse: Head of Arethusa. Around four dolphins. Behind neck a scallop-shell.
Reverse: Galloping quadriga, charioteer holds goad and reins, above Nike flying.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 3.68cm
  • Weight: 44.06g
Object history
From the Salting bequest.
Subjects depicted
Dolphins
Chariot
Nike
Arethusa
Summary
This ancient Greek coin is a dekadrachm of Syracuse, signed by Euainetos. A drachm is the basic monetary unit in ancient Greece (and still today), originating from the word 'dragma', which means 'handful'. A drachm is a medium sized coin, weighing around 4 grams and with a diameter of about 1.6 to 1.9 cm. A Dekadrachme (ten-drachm) is a larger silver coin, which weighs around 40 grams. Greek coins were made by a crude form of striking, the rough blank of metal being placed between two dies engraved with the required image and the whole assemblage being hit with a hammer, thus obverse and reverse were impressed simultaneously, sometimes with uneven results.
The coins bequeathed to the V&A by George Salting include examples of silver coins from Syracuse of the 4th century BC, a set of gold imperial coins of Rome, and some fine specimens of bronze denarii of the Roman Empire.
Bibliographic references
  • 'Salting Bequest (A. 70 to A. 1029-1910) / Murray Bequest (A. 1030 to A. 1096-1910)'. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum (Department of Architecture and Sculpture). London: Printed under the Authority of his Majesty's Stationery Office, by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Limited, East Harding Street, EC, p. 106
  • Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, Vol 1, Part 1, 'the Collection of Capt. E. G. Spencer-Churchill, M.C., of Northwick Park' and 'The Salting Collection in the Victoria and Albert Museum', London, published for the British Academy by Humphrey Milford, Oxford University Press, London and Spink and Son, London, S.N.G. 8
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
A.642-1910

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O310915/dekadrachm-head-of-arethusa-coin-tetradrachm-euainetos/
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