The New York Sale
Auction 42 9 Jan 2018
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Sicily, Syracuse. Agathokles. Gold 50 Litrai (4.31 g), 317-289 BC. Issued Ca. 317-311/0 BC. Laureate head of Apollo left. rev. ΣYP-A-K[O]-ΣIΩN, Charioteer, holding kentron and reins, driving galloping biga right; below, triskeles. Bérend pl. 9, 1; BAR issue 1; SNG ANS 552. Beautiful style and lustrous metal. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $3,000
From the Dionysus Collection.
This beautiful gold 50 litrai or decadrachm was struck by Agathokles early in his career as tyrant of Syracuse. It belongs to the period between his return from exile to Syracuse at the head of a mercenary army in 317 BC and his defeat by the Carthaginians at the battle of the Himera River in 311 BC, during which time he managed to gain control of many of the other Greek cities of Sicily. Although he ruled Syracuse as tyrant, this coin reflects the oath to uphold the democratic constitution of Syracuse that he cynically swore upon entering the city in 317 BC. Although Agathokles was fully in control, the legend on the coin names only the corporate body of the Syracusans as the issuing authority. Still, the tyrant did not openly trample on his oath until 304 BC, when he began to style himself King of Sicily. The Apollo and biga types are modeled on those of the staters of Philip II - types that were much in demand by mercenaries - but the additional triskeles on the reverse makes it clear that the coin is a Sicilian issue. The triskeles with its three legs long served as an emblem of the three-cornered island of Sicily.
From the Dionysus Collection.
This beautiful gold 50 litrai or decadrachm was struck by Agathokles early in his career as tyrant of Syracuse. It belongs to the period between his return from exile to Syracuse at the head of a mercenary army in 317 BC and his defeat by the Carthaginians at the battle of the Himera River in 311 BC, during which time he managed to gain control of many of the other Greek cities of Sicily. Although he ruled Syracuse as tyrant, this coin reflects the oath to uphold the democratic constitution of Syracuse that he cynically swore upon entering the city in 317 BC. Although Agathokles was fully in control, the legend on the coin names only the corporate body of the Syracusans as the issuing authority. Still, the tyrant did not openly trample on his oath until 304 BC, when he began to style himself King of Sicily. The Apollo and biga types are modeled on those of the staters of Philip II - types that were much in demand by mercenaries - but the additional triskeles on the reverse makes it clear that the coin is a Sicilian issue. The triskeles with its three legs long served as an emblem of the three-cornered island of Sicily.