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Ancient Greek
G
EORGEOUS
S
ICULO
-P
UNIC
T
ETRADRACHM
,
CA
. 350-320/15 BC
Enlargement
3254
Sicily, Siculo-Punic issue. Silver Tetradrachm (16.8 g), ca. 350-320/15 BC.
Uninscribed type. Wreathed head of Arethusa left, wear-
ing triple-pendant earring and necklace.
Reverse:
Horse galloping right before palm tree. Jenkins series 2d, 122 (O42/R114); BMFA 488
(same dies); SNG Lloyd 1616 (same obv. die); SNG Lockett 1037 (same obv. die); Gulbenkian 363 (same obv. die); Jameson 913 (same obv.
die). Excellent metal and wonderful style. Lovely iridescent tone.
Extremely Fine
.
This lovely Carthaginian tetradrachm was struck beginning in about 350/40 BC, thus more or less concurrent with the beginnings of the regu-
lar Carthaginian gold staters. The marked increase in Punic coinage at this time, coming after a hiatus of 50 or 60 years, met the needs of the
Carthaginian state to pay for military operations on the island. This was specially the case after 344 BC when the Syracusans invited Timoleon
of Corinth to become their leader. Timoleon rid Syracuse of the troublesome Dionysios as well as his nemesis, Hiketas I, the tyrant of Leontini,
and then re-founded the city and established a democracy. All of this lead to a period of Greek revival on the island, which of course led to
open conflict with Carthage.
Estimated Value ........................................................................................................................................................... $15,000 - 18,000
3255
Sicily, Syracuse. Hiketas II. Æ Litra (10.1 g), 287-278
BC.
Struck ca. 282-278 BC.
[
]
, laureate head of
youthful Zeus Hellanios right; behind, palladium.
Reverse:
-
, eagle standing left on thunderbolt; to left, A
above star. BAR issue 39; CNS 168 A Rs 96; cf. SNG ANS 803-7
(lacking palladium). Pleasing greenish and reddish brown
patina.
Extremely Fine
.
Estimated Value ................................................... $600 - 700
E
XQUISITE
S
YRACUSE
H
IERON
II, 275-215 BC G
OLD
60 L
ITRAI
Enlargement
3256
Sicily, Syracuse. Hieron II. Gold 60 Litrai (3.3 g), 275-215 BC.
Struck 218/7-215 BC. Head of Persephone left, wreathed with grain
ears, wearing necklace; behind, pendant.
Reverse:
[I]EP
NO
in exergue, Nike, holding kentron and reins, driving galloping biga left; below,
A. Cf. Carroccio 64-5. (D32/R-; rev. die not listed); BAR issue 55; cf. SNG ANS 865-6 (same obv. die). A splendid example not struck from rusty
dies and absolutely superb.
Superb Extremely Fine
.
Estimated Value ............................................................................................................................................................... $6,000 - 7,000
