A Sicilian drachm minted in the city of Naxos circa 461 BC is among the top lots at an online sale held by the Classical Numismatic Group.
The auction will take place on January 7-8, with the coin estimated to make $75,000.
 The drachm was minted in the city of Naxos in around 461 BC |
It was created in the Greek colony of Naxos, located in the east of Sicily, which was founded circa 730 BC and subsequently destroyed in 403 BC by Dionysios I of Syracuse (432-367 BC) - a legendary tyrant of the ancient world.
The coin features a depiction of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine (not to be confused with Dionysios I), on the obverse along with a profile of the satyr Silenos on the reverse.
A dekadrachm minted in Syracuse, Sicily under the reign of Dionysios I, is valued at $30,000.
 The dekadrachm was produced during the reign of Dionysios I of Syracuse |
It was struck from fresh dies circa 404-390 BC and features a depiction of a charioteer along with a profile of Arethusa, a water nymph, on the opposite side.
Dionysios I was highly decorated in the war in Carthage in 409 BC, going on to seize control of Syracuse in 405 BC. He led a number of military campaigns in Sicily and on the Greek mainland before being poisoned by his son, Dionysios II - who is a central figure in the story of the Sword of Damocles.
We have a range of rare coins available to purchase.
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