Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Auction 118 13-14 Sep 2021
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SICILY, Syracuse. Gelon, son of Hieron II. 275-215 BC. AR 8 Litrai – Didrachm (19mm, 6.77 g, 7h). Struck circa 218/7-214 BC. Diademed head left; star behind neck / Nike driving fast quadriga right; to right, BA above K. CCO 255 (D14/R11); BAR Issue 66; HGC 2, 1561; de Luynes 1365 (same dies). Attractive iridescent tone. In NGC encapsulation 4281288-008, graded AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5.
From the Mercury Group Collection. Ex Berk BBS 126 (23 April 2002), lot 38; Leu 65 (21 May 1996), lot 110.
Gelon was the eldest son of Hieron II, king of Syracuse from 275-215 BC. Most references simply list him as Gelon, son of Hieron, but he actually was made king by his father shortly after Hieron was elevated. Although Hieron was the senior ruler, Gelon appears to have had a great latitude of autonomy. The exact dates of his rule as king are not known, but he did die shortly before his father, perhaps even in 216 BC. Gelon was a close friend of the famed Archimedes, who dedicated a treatise, called The Sand Reckoner, to Gelon.
From the Mercury Group Collection. Ex Berk BBS 126 (23 April 2002), lot 38; Leu 65 (21 May 1996), lot 110.
Gelon was the eldest son of Hieron II, king of Syracuse from 275-215 BC. Most references simply list him as Gelon, son of Hieron, but he actually was made king by his father shortly after Hieron was elevated. Although Hieron was the senior ruler, Gelon appears to have had a great latitude of autonomy. The exact dates of his rule as king are not known, but he did die shortly before his father, perhaps even in 216 BC. Gelon was a close friend of the famed Archimedes, who dedicated a treatise, called The Sand Reckoner, to Gelon.