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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: 25 mm. Weight: 17.16 gm.
Credit Line Catharine Page Perkins Fund
Accession Number00.103
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsNumismaticsCoins

Catalogue Raisonné Brett, Greek Coins (MFA), no. 0294.
DescriptionObverse: Nymph Messana, in a chariot, driving a pair of mules to left. Above, Nike flying to right to crown her with pendent wreath attached to taenia held in her left hand. In exergue two dolphins meeting.
Border of dots.
Reverse: Hare leaping to left. Beneath, head of Pan, to left, with two goat horns and a taenia; hair on forehead and neck in loose locks.
Inscription in Greek.
Border of dots.


Same die as R265.

ProvenanceMay 21, 1883, Rev. J. H. De Messine sale, J. Sambon, Milan, lot 155 [see note]. By 1900, Edward Perry Warren (b. 1860 – d. 1928), London; 1900, sold by Edward Perry Warren to the MFA. (Accession date: January 1, 1900)

Note: many thanks to Dr John Voukelatos for the De Messine provenance information.