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THE FACING HEAD COINS OF: SICILY, CAMARINA |
A few examples of facing head coinage from Camarina are shown below. The didrachm depicts the young river-god Hipparis on the obverse; the reverse shows the nymph Camarina riding on a swan over a row of cresting wavelets, her veil billowing above her head. The drachms illustrate the nymph Camarina on the obverse and a flying Nike on the reverse. (In the standard reference on Camarina, the side with Nike is described as the obverse, but both the presence of the ethnic and the fabric of no. 2 below demonstrate that this side is the reverse.) Each of these issues involves just two die combinations. Accordingly they are very rare and only seldom seen in market. The die engraving is delicate throughout. The swan scene and the Nike are particularly fine examples of the late fifth century Sicilian Rich Style. The Camarina of the drachms has a sensuous feminine beauty that transcends the passage of time.
U. Westermark and K. Jenkins, The Coinage of Kamarina, Royal Numismatic Society Special Publication No. 9 (London, 1980).
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415–405 BC. AR Didrachm. Westermark & Jenkins 163. Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 25, 25 June 2003, Lot number: 60. Ex Münzen und Medaillen 25, 1962, 407 and NAC 13, 1998, 318 sales. Käppeli and A.D.M. collections. |
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415–405 BC. AR Drachm. Westermark & Jenkins 167.2. Source of Image: Magna Graecia Coins Web Site. Taken from plates of Westermark & Jenkins. |
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415–405 BC. AR Drachm. Westermark & Jenkins 168. Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 25, 25 June 2003, Lot number: 61. Ex NAC sale 13, 1998, 319 and A.D.M. collection. |
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