TCV Roundtable Blog

100 Greatest Ancient Coins Series: Kimon Decadrachm (Sicily - 415 BC)

We continue our blog series covering Whitman Publishing’s 100 Greatest Ancient Coins today with a high-ranking coin that not only comes from a master engraver but is part of the highly detailed and highly sought after decadrachms. Author Harlan J. Berk will guide us along as usual as we remind you that this top 100 list features coins from the earliest onward despite their ranking.

#6 – Kimon Decadrachm (Sicily – 415 BC)

Eventually growing into a wealthy and powerful settlement after being established by the Corinthians in eighth century BC, the city of Syracuse expanded onto the larger island of Sicily within 100 years. They founded the colonies of their own at Akrai, Kasmenai, and Camarina. The coinage of Syracuse included silver tetradrachms and decadrachms that featured the head of Arethusa (nymph) surrounded by...read more