Ancient Greece - 405-370 BCE Sicily, Syracuse (Euainetos) AR Decadrachm NGC AU in Fine Style

Stunning work of numismatic art from Greek Sicily from the hands of the master medalist Euainetos. The master craftsman's work is greatly enhanced by the dramatic patina of gold, brown, green, russet, and yellow. This piece is an example of classical numismatic art at its finest.

Ancient Syracuse in Sicily, where this beautiful offering from AUCM was struck. Photo: wikimedia.org.

Among the most dramatic works of ancient Greek art are the coins of the artist Euainetos. Greatly prized are his decadrachms, which more than likely were distributed throughout the Greek world of his day. Circumstantial evidence of this is the inspiration they gave to artists-engravers far from his native Sicily. The normal avenues of commerce were probably not how his coins gained their influence. It has been suggested that, similar to the staters of Olympia, examples of Euainetos's work were purchased as souvenirs and thereafter brought to various locations of the Greek world.  

The decadrachms of Euainetos were first produced early in the rule of Dionysius I (405-367 BCE); they were produced for several decades, maybe even beyond the 360s. We dare to presume that Dionysus himself took a personal interest in minting such large and beautiful coins to demonstrate his support of the arts and in the process advertize his achievements of his reign. It is also quite possible that after Euainetos initiated his numismatic work, die cutting of this series was performed by others.