The FIRST signed Tetradrachm, EF
US $1,150.00  
Jul-29-03

  Syracuse, Sicily, AR tetradrachm, (17.22g) signed work by artist A. .
   . ., c. 420 B.C. Slow biga to right, charioteer, holding kentron in
   left hand, reins in right, crowned with wreath by Nike flying left,
   dotted border. / SYPAKOSI O N Head of Arethusa right, hair enveloped
   in sakkos drawn together at top and decorated with meander pattern
   above chevrons, A below earring, four dolphins around. BMC 116.
   Boehringer 706. SNG ANS 238. EF, good metal, and nicely centered,
   very attractive style, die wear, die break before chin.

There are two other tetradrachms with the A (Boehringer 700 and 702. 
   There are a number of other (unsigned) dies by the same artist.
   Boehringer seems to regard the A as the identification of Arethusa,
   but that doesn't fit with the sequence of Syracusian
   tetradrachms. This coin, about a generation before Euanetos and Kimon
   signed their masterpieces, seems more likely to be signed A.
   Conceivably, this A-initialed artist had a number of apprentices in
   training, who would later sign their work.

   Earlier dies are assigned to artists such as the "Demartion Master,"
   "The Aetna Master," "The Master of the left-facing head," The Master
   of the Bay Leaf" etc. but NAC May 2001 notes this is the first
   engraver to sign dies with a letter. No dies with his more complete
   signature are known.