Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XXV 22-23 Sep 2022
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Sicily, Syracuse AV 60 Litrai - Dekadrachm. Hiketas II, circa 279/8 BC. Head of Persephone to left, wearing grain wreath, pendant earring and pearl necklace; lit torch behind / Nike driving galloping biga to right; moon above; Θ below horses; EPI IKETA in exergue. Buttrey, Morgantina, dies 3/D, j = Jameson 871; BAR issue 41; HGC 2, 1277; BMC 432 (same dies); Hirsch 677-8 (same dies); de Luynes 1340 (same dies); Sartiges 149 (same dies). 4.29g, 16mm, 2h.
Near Mint State; an exceedingly elegant specimen of the type.
From the Coins of 100 Generations Collection, published online at http://www.goldencollection.club;
Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 273, 14 March 2016, lot; 175;
Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 248, 14 March 2014, lot 7118.
After Agathokles' assassination by Maenon, the latter put the former tyrant's grandson to death and seized command of his army that was then besieging Aetna, directing it instead against Syracuse. Hiketas was entrusted with the command of a sizeable force by the Syracusans to defend the city. Despite later seizing supreme power, Hiketas apparently never styled himself as king, as evidenced on the reverse of this coin. During his reign he defeated Phintias of Akragas and took that city, then turning his attention to the Carthaginians. He was however dealt a severe defeat in battle against their forces at the river Terias and as a result was expelled from Syracuse. This coin was produced to pay for this ill-fated campaign of 279 BC. It is interesting that after his defeat the Syracusans continued to issue gold coins of his types but with his name erased in the die.
Near Mint State; an exceedingly elegant specimen of the type.
From the Coins of 100 Generations Collection, published online at http://www.goldencollection.club;
Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 273, 14 March 2016, lot; 175;
Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 248, 14 March 2014, lot 7118.
After Agathokles' assassination by Maenon, the latter put the former tyrant's grandson to death and seized command of his army that was then besieging Aetna, directing it instead against Syracuse. Hiketas was entrusted with the command of a sizeable force by the Syracusans to defend the city. Despite later seizing supreme power, Hiketas apparently never styled himself as king, as evidenced on the reverse of this coin. During his reign he defeated Phintias of Akragas and took that city, then turning his attention to the Carthaginians. He was however dealt a severe defeat in battle against their forces at the river Terias and as a result was expelled from Syracuse. This coin was produced to pay for this ill-fated campaign of 279 BC. It is interesting that after his defeat the Syracusans continued to issue gold coins of his types but with his name erased in the die.