ZANKLE - MESSANA AR DRACHM, GREEK SICILY
Dewing 634, SNG ANS 296, Very Fine, toned, marks, 20.8mm, 5.64 grams, Struck Circa. 520 - 500 B.C.E.
Obverse: Dolphin swimming to left within the sickle - shaped harbor of the city, DANK below
Reverse: Nine-part design of raised and sunk squares and triangles, scallop shell in the center
The name Zankle, meaning "sickle" was given the city by its earliest settlers. It was name after the colony's harbor which was shaped like a sickle. The colony prospered and later founded its own colonies at Mylae and Himera. It wasn't to last long. In 488/487 B.C.E. Zankle was captured by Anaxilas of the rival city, Rhegion. Anaxilas settled the city with Messenian colonists from the Peloponnese and renamed the city Messana in honor of his Peloponnesian homeland.
An attractive rare archaic Greek coin with an interesting motif! Old cabinet toning.
Ex: CGB Sale 27, March 19, 2011, Lot #25
Ex: Bougey Sale 4, June 1991, Lot #30
