Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XIX 26-27 Mar 2020
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Sicily, Syracuse AV Stater. Time of Agathokles, circa 306-289 BC. Head of Athena right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated with griffin, single-pendant earring and necklace / Winged thunderbolt, AΓAΘOKΛEO[Σ] above, BAΣIΛEOΣ and monogram below. Bérend, Essays to Price, pl. 9, 8 = SNG ANS 704; Boston MFA 466; BMC 419. 5.72g, 16mm, 12h.
Near Mint State; minor edge knock at obv. 5h, lustrous metal.
Acquired from Morton & Eden Ltd.
This coin is from a short-lived issue known from only six obverse and seven reverse dies with numerous interlinkings, which suggest a specific occasion for its striking. Three alternatives proposed are the assumption of the royal title by Agathokles in 304 BC, the marriage of his daughter to Pyrrhos of Epeiros in 297, or renewed preparations for war against Carthage, the last of which seems the most plausible; indeed we again see here a type familiar to Greek mercenaries that at once recalls the gold staters of Alexander III of Macedon, and the silver staters of Alexander of Epeiros.
Near Mint State; minor edge knock at obv. 5h, lustrous metal.
Acquired from Morton & Eden Ltd.
This coin is from a short-lived issue known from only six obverse and seven reverse dies with numerous interlinkings, which suggest a specific occasion for its striking. Three alternatives proposed are the assumption of the royal title by Agathokles in 304 BC, the marriage of his daughter to Pyrrhos of Epeiros in 297, or renewed preparations for war against Carthage, the last of which seems the most plausible; indeed we again see here a type familiar to Greek mercenaries that at once recalls the gold staters of Alexander III of Macedon, and the silver staters of Alexander of Epeiros.