Tetradrachm of Akragas

The obverse of this silver tetradrachm shows an eagle, standing in profile to the left. Around the body of the eagle, the name of the city of Akragas, Sicily (modern Agrigento) is written in boustrophedon, that is, with lines written in different directions and with reversed letters. Above the eagle, the letters AKRAC are written from right to left; the word “wraps” under the eagle, where the letters ANTOΣ appear in mirror image (transliteration: "Akragantos"; translation: "Of Akragas"). On the reverse of the coin, a naturalistically rendered crab is shown with its claws extended and eight legs carefully articulated. The shell of the crab additionally has what appears to be a face on its back, possibly representing the eponymous city god “Akragas.”

The fresh-water river crab was employed on the coins of the city of Akragas as the city’s symbol to show the city’s dominance over land and sea. Greek poleis (city states) often adopted a symbol such as a plant or animal that was closely associated with the city and often appeared on their coinage. The eagle and the crab were both important symbols for Akragas. Later 5th century BCE coins of the city often had more elaborate depictions of the animals, with hunting eagles holding a hare and the crab in combination with other sea life, such as octopi, prawns, clams, and even merpeople.

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Provenance

Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.

Sale, Ars Classica XV, Geneva, 2 July 1930, p. 17, lot 268, pl. 9; Richard Cyril Lockett, London, 1930, by purchase [SNG Lockett 692]; Sale, Richard Cyril Lockett Collection II, Glendining and Co., LTD, London, 25 October 1955, p. 74, lot 576, pl. 20; Private Collection, New York, by purchase; Sale, Triton XXV, New York, 11 January 2022, lot 55; Walters Art Museum, 2022, by purchase.