Noble Numismatics Pty Ltd
Auction 123 31 Mar - 2 Apr 2020
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SICILY, Gela, (c.425-420 B.C.), silver tetradrachm (17.26 g), obv. Nike driving slow quadriga right, holding reins, large wreath above, rev. forepart of man-headed bull to right, olive spray behind, above **GELAS*,(S.799, Jenkins, Gela 396.3 [obv. 82, rev. 165, this coin illustrated]). Nearly extremely fine and very rare.
Ex George Mihailuk Collection, from Harry Larkin c.1960s, previously from the J.Hirsch Auction Sale 19 11.11.1907, lot 146) and Ratto, Milan List of 1912 (item 398).
Situated on the southern coast of Sicily, Gela was founded in 688 BC by Cretans and Rhodians. It rose to become the most influential state on the island. In 485 its ruler Gelon seized Syracuse and transferred his capital there, taking with him many of the leading citizens. His brother Hieron, later tyrant of Syracuse, was left in charge of Gela. Tetradrachm issues at Gela probably began circa 480 BC, shortly thereafter becoming the principal denomination of the Geloan coinage, and remaining so down to the time of the destruction of the city by Carthaginian invaders in 405 BC. The ultimate design of the tetradrachms displayed a racing chariot, borrowed from the Syracusan coinage, and the forepart of a man-headed bull. The rather brutal half-length figure of the man-headed bull swimming right is based on the 'father of all rivers', Achelous, and is clearly identified by the ethnic Gelas as the personification of the river Gelas rushing to its mouth, where the city Gela stood. It was defined by Virgil (Aen. 3, 702) as 'immanisque Gela fluvii cognomina dicta.'
Ex George Mihailuk Collection, from Harry Larkin c.1960s, previously from the J.Hirsch Auction Sale 19 11.11.1907, lot 146) and Ratto, Milan List of 1912 (item 398).
Situated on the southern coast of Sicily, Gela was founded in 688 BC by Cretans and Rhodians. It rose to become the most influential state on the island. In 485 its ruler Gelon seized Syracuse and transferred his capital there, taking with him many of the leading citizens. His brother Hieron, later tyrant of Syracuse, was left in charge of Gela. Tetradrachm issues at Gela probably began circa 480 BC, shortly thereafter becoming the principal denomination of the Geloan coinage, and remaining so down to the time of the destruction of the city by Carthaginian invaders in 405 BC. The ultimate design of the tetradrachms displayed a racing chariot, borrowed from the Syracusan coinage, and the forepart of a man-headed bull. The rather brutal half-length figure of the man-headed bull swimming right is based on the 'father of all rivers', Achelous, and is clearly identified by the ethnic Gelas as the personification of the river Gelas rushing to its mouth, where the city Gela stood. It was defined by Virgil (Aen. 3, 702) as 'immanisque Gela fluvii cognomina dicta.'