16 / 184
1026
Sicily, Syracuse. Agathokles. Æ (9.81 g), 317-289 BC. Struck ca. 306/4-289 BC.
SWTHRA
, head of Artemis
Soteira right, quiver at shoulder. Rev.
AGAQOKLEOS
above,
BASILEOS
below, winged thunderbolt. (BAR
issue 33; CNS 142; SNG ANS 708). Uniform chocolate brown patina. Extremely fine.
$ 350
1027
Sicily, Syracuse. Hiketas II. Æ (10.07 g), 287-278 BC. [
DIOS ELLANI
]
OU
, laureate head of Zeus Hellanios
right. Rev.
SURAK
-
OSIWN
, eagle standing left on thunderbolt, wings displayed. (CNS 167; BAR issue 39;
SNG ANS 789-95). Uniform glossy chocolate brown patina. Extremely fine.
$ 300
1028
Sicily, Syracuse. Hiketas II. Æ (9.13 g), 287-278 BC. [
SU
]
RAKOSIWN
, head of Kore left, wreathed with grain
ears; behind, grain stalk. Rev. Charioteer driving galloping biga right; above, star; in exergue,
SW
. (CNS 123;
BAR issue 38; SNG ANS 761). Uniform chocolate brown patina. Extremely fine.
$ 300
ex NFA MBS (18 October 1990), lot 111.
1029
Sicily, Syracuse. Fifth Democracy. Silver 8 Litrai (6.73 g), 214-212 BC. Head of Athena right, wearing crested
Corinthian helmet, single-pendant earring, and necklace; behind neck,
AG
monogram. Rev.
SURAKOSIWN
,
winged thunderbolt; below,
SW
. (Enna Hoard 87 (dies 5/16); BAR issue 88; SNG ANS 1044 (same obv.
die)). Well struck on a flan of excellent metal and lightly toned. Extremely fine.
$ 1,000
ex Goldberg 36 (30 May 2006), lot 3484.
This coin belongs to a remarkable series of silver litra multiples (including 16-, 12-, 10-, 8-, 6-, 4-, and 2 1/2-litrai) struck during
the Fifth Democracy which was established at Syracuse after the assassination of the last Syracusan king, Hieronymos, in 214 BC.
Although the leaders of the democracy were initially pro-Roman in their outlook, reports of Roman atrocities in southern Italy
and Sicily as they fought the forces of Hannibal led them to resist. Their opposition to the Romans resulted in the famous siege
of Syracuse by M. Claudius Marcellus. The siege, which was notable for the mechanical defenses ranged against the Romans by
the engineer Archimedes, dragged on until 212 BC when the city fell. It is perhaps ironic that, although struck by the Syracusan
democracy, the reverse thunderbolt type of this coin is copied directly from the royal coinage of the hated Hieronymos.
1030
Sicily, Syracuse. Fifth Democracy. Silver 6 Litrai (4.36 g), 214-212 BC. Bearded head of Herakles left,
wearing lion’s skin headdress. Rev.
SURAKOSI
[
WN
] in exergue, Nike, holding kentron and reins, driving
fast biga right; below horses,
XA
(very faint). (Enna Hoard D44; BAR issue 90; SNG ANS -).
Rare.
Lightly
toned. Very fine / Fine.
$ 300
1026
1028
1027
1029