Ira and Larry Goldberg Auctioneers
Auction 96 14-15 February 2017
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Sicily, Zankle-Messana. Samian occupation. Silver Tetradrachm (17.23 g), 494/3-490/89 BC. Year 1 (494/3). Facing lion's scalp. Reverse: Prow of Samian galley left, with ram, akrostolion and fighting platform on deck. Barron 6 (ZA4/ZP5) = Gielow 87 = H. Dressel & K. Regling, "Zagazig Hoard (1901)," ZfN XXXVI (1927), 10 (this coin); HGC 2, 772. Ancient test cut on reverse. Choice Very Fine. Estimate Value $2,500 - 3,000
The Hanbery Collection; Ex Zagazig Hoard (1901).
In 493 BC, Skythes, the tyrant of Zankle in northern Sicily, invited settlers from Samos, Miletos, and other Ionian cities to assist him in founding a new city to expand Zanklian influence into the territory of the native Sikels. Unfortunately, before the Samians reached Zankle, they were met by Anaxilas, the tyrant of Rhegion, who convinced them to seize Zankle for themselves while the Skythes and his men were away fighting the Sikels.When Skythes discovered what had happened, he complained to his powerful patron, Hippokrates of Gela. However, Skythes did not receive assistance in reclaiming his city as he had expected, but instead found himself imprisoned by Hippokrates and the majority of the male Zanklians enslaved. In order to cement an alliance with the Samian newcomers, Hippokrates also handed over 300 of the most prominent Zanklians for execution.The Samian occupation of Zankle lasted for five years, during which time the occupiers struck a coinage featuring lion's scalp and galley prow types familiar from the coinage of Samos. The new coinage was distinct in its failure to use any ethnic, perhaps because the Samians, Milesian and their other Ionian allies in the city had not yet developed a collective identity of their own. The coins usually carried Greek letter-numerals counting the years of the occupation, but some issues of the first year - like the present specimen - lack any numeral.In the end the Samian adventure at Zankle was all for naught since after five years the occupiers were driven out of the city by Anaxilas of Rhegion himself.
The Hanbery Collection; Ex Zagazig Hoard (1901).
In 493 BC, Skythes, the tyrant of Zankle in northern Sicily, invited settlers from Samos, Miletos, and other Ionian cities to assist him in founding a new city to expand Zanklian influence into the territory of the native Sikels. Unfortunately, before the Samians reached Zankle, they were met by Anaxilas, the tyrant of Rhegion, who convinced them to seize Zankle for themselves while the Skythes and his men were away fighting the Sikels.When Skythes discovered what had happened, he complained to his powerful patron, Hippokrates of Gela. However, Skythes did not receive assistance in reclaiming his city as he had expected, but instead found himself imprisoned by Hippokrates and the majority of the male Zanklians enslaved. In order to cement an alliance with the Samian newcomers, Hippokrates also handed over 300 of the most prominent Zanklians for execution.The Samian occupation of Zankle lasted for five years, during which time the occupiers struck a coinage featuring lion's scalp and galley prow types familiar from the coinage of Samos. The new coinage was distinct in its failure to use any ethnic, perhaps because the Samians, Milesian and their other Ionian allies in the city had not yet developed a collective identity of their own. The coins usually carried Greek letter-numerals counting the years of the occupation, but some issues of the first year - like the present specimen - lack any numeral.In the end the Samian adventure at Zankle was all for naught since after five years the occupiers were driven out of the city by Anaxilas of Rhegion himself.