The favorite of many numismatists and collectors, the coinage of Syracuse is nearly always synonymous with beauty and artistic skill, with this particular coin being no exception. Despite the rusty obverse die, this coin features a wealth of detail and a delicately rendered Head of Arethusa on the reverse. This design combo, of a racing obverse quadriga and the head of Arethusa ringed by dolphins on the reverse. Depicted for centuries on the local coinage, the nymph Arethusa was so dominant due to her association with the fresh water spring located at the port of Syracuse. It is literally impossible to overstate the importance of consistent and reliable access to fresh water in the ancient world not only for irrigation and consumption, but also to help prevent disease. As such, it is not at all surprising that Syracuse chose to honor their local fresh water divinity.