weight 17,35gr. ; silver Ø 23mm.

obv. Sea eagle with closed wings standing left, AKRAC to right, AИTOΣ (retrograde) to left
rev. Crab in concave field

On the death of Theron in 472 BC, a democracy was established.
Tetradrachms were now struck for the first time in Akragas.

‒ CLASSICAL MASTERPIECE OF THE BEST STYLE ‒

BMC 38 ; SNG.Copenhagen 41 ; SNG.München 65 ; SNG.ANS.972 ;
cf. McClean 2020 ; Jameson collection- ; SNG.Lockett 692 ; Sear 741 ;
Westermark, Coinage, Period II, Group II, 350.1 ; HGC 2, no.77 ;
Franke-Hirmer Taf. 59 R
Wonderful coin with excellent details for issue and attractive toning. Rare.
xf

weight 2,91gr. ; bronze Ø 14mm.
second issue

obv. Head of Athena right, wearing crested Attic helmet, AΘΛ in front
rev. Female figure seated right on throne, wearing a long chiton
and holding a trident in her right hand and bow in her left

The only information we have of the mercenary settlement of ATHL comes from the few bronze coins found in the area of Caccamo. three issues are known; the first overstruck on Syracusian bronze drachms of Dionysios I, with helmeted head of Athena on the obverse and female figure seated on throne reverse. the other two issues are the smaller denominations and bear the same type; it is interesting to note that the third issue shows a head of Athena of barbarous style, but the same legend. So the third issue could be a later unofficial imitation. Extremely rare.

BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.ANS.-; SNG.München- ;
Calciati III, pag.287,2 ; Sear- RRR
vf

weight 8,73gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Forepart of man-headed bull to right  C E - Λ  A
rev. Bearded horseman, nude, wearing conic helmet, riding right,
brandishing spear in his upraised right hand

The early coins of Gela are remarkable for their lifelike portrayal of the city′s patron river god, shown as a man-headed bull. This representation goes back to that of Acheloüs, a river god from northwest Greece, and initially was only of him, but the type became extremely popular and was used for local river gods all over the Greek world. The nude and bearded horseman on the obverse may well be thought to be chasing the god: preventing him from indulging in one of his destructive rages! This is, in fact, why river gods were shown as bulls – so many rivers in Sicily, Magna Graecia and Greece itself were calm during most of the year, but they all could become dangerous, raging torrents after a flash flood or during the Spring run offs.

cf. CNG Triton XVIII, Lot 346 (in good xf USD 40.000 + 20%)

♦ Magnificent masterpiece of Greek Art and very rare
in this high state of preservation ♦

BMC 24 ; cf. Sear 713 ; SNG.München 262var. ; SNG.Copenhagen 256var. ;
SNG.ANS.5var. ; cf. McClean 2243 ; Jenkins, Gela 55 ; HGC 2, no.363 ;
cf. Kraay & Hirmer 155 ; cf. SNG.Lloyd 956  R
Very attractive lustrous coin with excellent details, perfectly centered.
Nearly as struck. 
xf/unc

weight 0,73gr. ; silver Ø 9mm.

obv. Forepart of man-headed bull right,  C E Λ above
rev. Wheel with four spokes

The early coins of Gela are remarkable for their lifelike portrayal of the city′s patron river god, shown as a man-headed bull. This representation goes back to that of Acheloüs, a river god from northwest Greece, and initially was only of him, but the type became extremely popular and was used for local river gods all over the Greek world. The nude and bearded horseman on the obverse may well be thought to be chasing the god: preventing him from indulging in one of his destructive rages! This is, in fact, why river gods were shown as bulls – so many rivers in Sicily, Magna Graecia and Greece itself were calm during most of the year, but they all could become dangerous, raging torrents after a flash flood or during the Spring run offs.

BMC 34 ; Jenkins 190 ; cf. SNG.München 277 ; SNG.Copenhagen 259 ;
SNG.ANS.40-41 ; McClean - ; cf. HGC 2, no. 372 RR
Very attractive example of this very rare coin type.
vf/xf

weight 17,27gr. ; silver Ø 27mm.
Group III series (Jenkins).

obv. Charioteer, holding kentron and reins, driving slow quadriga right;
Ionic column (terma) behind, grain ear in exergue
rev. Forepart of man-headed bull  right CEΛAΣ above

Gela was found by colonists from Rhodes and Crete in 688 BC and was located on the south-eastern coastal plain of Sicily along the banks of the river Gela, from which it reaped a fertile soil and bountiful harvests. By the early fifth century, the wealth generated from its hinterland allowed the city′s early tyrants to expand militarily at the expense of its neighbors, and Gela soon dominated several cities, amongst them Leontinoi, Naxos, Zankle-Messana and Syracuse. The tyrant Gelon, after conquering Syracuse, moved there, leaving his brother Hieron I in charge of Gela. After Gelon′s death in 478 BC, Hieron took control of Syracuse and left the city of Gela to Polyzelos. When Hieron I died, the tyranny of Syracuse was usurped by his brother Thrasyboulos, who it appears had corrupted the son of Hieron into an odious youth, that he might more easily set him aside and take the throne for himself. According to Diodorus (XI, 67) his rapacity and cruelty soon provoked a revolt at Syracuse, which Thrasyboulos sought to crush using foreign mercenaries and troops from Aetna and Katane. The Syracusans entrenched themselves in the quarter of the city called Tyche, and sent requests for assistance to Gela, Akragas, Selinos, Himera and the other inland cities of Sicily. Gela and the other cities responded, and dealt Thrasyboulos a decisive defeat on land and sea, forcing his abdication and retirement into exile.

The Group III tetradrachms were struck an appreciable interval after the last issue of Group II, and appear to have been coined at the time of the expedition to Syracuse as the means of meeting the implicit expense of the campaign. The most distinctive feature of the obverse die is the Ionic column in the background, which it is reasonable to assume is a terma, or turning point. The terma is included as a stylistic and cultural symbol that serves the purpose of being a pleasant architectural adjunct that places the quadriga in a more specific context. The reverse reuses the type from the city′s didrachm coinage, and depicts the forepart of the river-god Gelas.

cf. NAC, auction 134, Lot 183 in about xf (SFR 38.000 + 22%)

Jenkins, Gela 217 ; cf. SNG.München - (cf. 279) ; cf. SNG.Copenhagen 262 ; 
SNG.ANS.- (cf. 50) ; SNG.Lloyd 960 ; Gillet 413 ; McClean- (cf. 2239) ;
cf. Rizzo pl. XVII, 13 ; Sear 789 RR
Reverse slightly struck off-centre, but very attractive piece with fine details.
Attractive style. Very rare.
vf/xf

weight 3,95gr. ; bronze Ø 18mm.

obv. Bull standing left, head lowered, ΓEΛAΣ above, three pellets in exergue
rev. Diademed head of young river-god Gelas with horns right

The three pellets on the obverse indicate the value; 3 onkia (= 1 tetras)

BMC 71 ; SNG.Copenhagen 284 ; Jenkins 505 ; SNG.ANS.110 ;
SNG.München 306 ; Calciati III,pag.6,no.3 ; Sear 1095
Very attractive coin with dark-brown patina.
vf/xf à vf+

weight 3,39gr. ; bronze Ø 15,5mm.

obv. Bull standing right left, olive-branch above, three pellets in exergue
rev. Head of  young river-god Gelas with horns right, ΓEΛAΣ in front

The three pellets on the obverse indicate the value; 3 onkia (= 1 tetras)

cf. BMC 68 ; SNG.Copenhagen - ; Jenkins 522 ;
cf. SNG.München 318 ; Calciati III,pag.21,no.45 R
Some minor oxidation on the obverse, otherwise attractive coin with
fine details and dark-brown patina.
vf/vf+

weight 8,47gr. ; silver Ø 20mm.
Attic standard

obv. Cock standing left, in front HI
rev. Crab in round incuse

Around 483, Theron, tyrant in Akragas, father-in-law of Gelon and son-in-law of Gelon′s brother Polyzelos, attacked Terillus in Himera and expelled him. Thanks to his good connections with Carthage, the leading official of Carthage, Hamilcar, being a guest friend of Terillus, he managed to persuade the Carthaginians to intervene. Gelon prevailed and Theron was able to hold his ground. He appointed his son Thrasydaios as tyrant of Himera. Because he intended to express his dynastic ties with Akragas in his coinage as well, he chose the crab as motif to be featured on the reverse of the coins from Himera. More of an economic and practical nature was the reason for a second modification he introduced. He no longer followed the Chalcidian monetary standard but adopted the Attic standard, which was also in use in his hometown Acragas. This is very likely to have facilitated the trade between the two cities and the cash flow significantly. The coin emission ends in 472 with the fall of Thrasydaios. After his father′s death he had assumed control over Himera and Akragas. He tried to compensate his unpopularity with the local people by external military successes. Having chosen much more powerful Hieron of Syracuse as an opponnent, he failed miserably. Taking advantage of his temporary weakness, the citizens of Himera and Akragas expelled him and established autonomous democracies again.

The standing cock clearly was a badge for Himera in the same way that the standing eagle and crab were for Akragas. These animals must have represented deities; the eagle of Akragas for Zeus, the fresh-water crab for the river-god Akragas and the cock of Himera almost certainly for Asklepios, who likely was worshipped at the famous healing baths near the city.

cf. NAC Auction 79, Lot 2 (in xf SFR 17.000 + 15%)
cf. Nomos Auction 17, Lot 32 (in vf/xf with light oxidation and damage: SFR 14.000 + 15%)

BMC 24-26var. ; Jameson 607var. ; McClean 2294-2296var. ;
SNG.München 341-343var. ; SNG.ANS.155-163var. ;
SNG.Copenhagen 302-303var. ; cf. Sear 718 ;
Jenkins & Westermark 1999, nos.2-107 ; HGC 2, no.438 RR
Wonderful specimen with attractive toning. Rare.
vf/xf à xf-

weight 1,98gr. ; Ø 16mm.

obv. Naked Pan riding goat left, blowing conch and holding caduceus
rev. Nikè flying left, holding filleted aphlaston and hem of chiton

On the obverse only a letter M is visible (probably from HIMEPAION).
The reverse has no legend, also not the usual NIKA. Very rare.

cf. BMC 38-40 ; cf. SNG.Copenhagen 307-308 ; cf. McClean 2299 ;
cf. SNG.ANS.170 ; cf. HGC 2, no. 442 ; cf. Jameson 614  RR
vf-

weight 0,70gr. ; silver Ø 13mm.

obv. Pallas standing left, wearing long chiton with diploïs, aegis and
crested helmet, and leaning on spear, shield at het feet, surrounded by
the legend; KAMARINAION
rev. Nikè flying left, wearing long chiton with diploïs, swan at het feet,
all within olive-wreath

cf. Hess-Divo Auction 314, Lot 1025 (in vf/xf : SFR 1.600 + 15%)

BMC 3 ; SNG.Copenhagen 158 ; SNG.München 394-399 ;
McClean 2149 ; cf. Babelon, Traité pl.LXXVII, 5 ;
SNG.ANS.1211-1216 ; cf. Sear 757 ; HGC 2, no.536
some light traces of oxidation on the reverse
xf-/vf

weight 17,03gr. ; silver Ø 27mm.

obv. Athena, wearing helmet, aegis and a long chiton, and holding a
kentron in her right hand and the reins in her left, driving a quadriga
galloping to right; above, Nike flying to left to crown her; in exergue,
grey mullet swimming to right.
rev. Head of youthful Herakles to right, with a light beard and wearing
a lion′s skin headdress; below his chin, olive sprig with an olive,
surrounded by the legend; ΚΑΜΑΡΙΝΑΙΟΝ

cf. Künker Auktion 326, Lot 599 (in vf+/xf- : € 40.000 + 20%)

BMC - (cf. 15) ; SNG.Copenhagen - ; SNG Lloyd 869 (same dies) ;
Westermark & Jenkins 144.3 ; SNG.München - ; SNG.ANS.- ;
Pozzi- (cf. 945) ; McDonald, Hunterian collection -- ; McClean - ;
Sear - (cf. 759) ; HGC 2, no.523 RR
Some weakness of strike. Attractive, well-centered specimen
of excellent style. Very rare.
vf/vf+

weight 16,80gr. ; silver Ø 26mm.

obv. Slow quadriga r., the driver, wearing long chiton, holding 
the reins with his right hand, the kentron with his left hand;
above, Nike flying right to crown the horses; in exergue, ketos (?)
rev. Laureate head of Apollo right, hair rolled behind, to right KATANAION

BMC 21 ; SNG.Copenhagen 177 ; SNG.ANS.1249 (these dies) ; 
Gulbenkian I, 182 (these dies) ; SNG.München 432 ; cf. Sear 767 ;
HGC 2, no. 567 (R2)  RR
Some minor scuffs and roughness but overall very attractive coin
with excellent classical Apollo portrait. Very rare.
vf/vf+

weight 17,35gr. ; silver Ø 25mm.

obv. Slow quadriga r., the driver, wearing long chiton, holding 
the reins with his both hands, above; Nike flying right to crown
the horses
rev. Laureate head of Apollo right, hair rolled behind, before;
KATANAION (off flan)

cf. NAC, auction 138, Lot 53 (in vf: SFR 6.100 incl. commission)

cf. BMC 21 ; SNG.Copenhagen 177var. ; SNG.ANS.1250 ; 
SNG.Lloyd 895 ; cf. Gulbenkian Pl.XIX, 182 ; cf. McClean 2170 ;
SNG.Delepierre 536 ; SNG.München 435 ; cf. Sear 767 ;
van Wielink group III, 45 ; Rizzo Pl. XI, 6 ; HGC 2, no. 568 (R2) RR
An usual and interesting portrait of Apollo. Attractive toning. Very rare.
vf

weight 16,82gr. ; silver Ø 22mm.

obv. Bearded charioteer in long chiton, driving quadriga
walking to right, holding reins in both hands, above Nikè
flying right crowning the horses.
rev. Lion′s head with open jaws to right; around,
four grains of barley and the text; Λ E O N T I N O N

The city of Leontinoi was founded by colonists from Naxos as Leontini in 729 BC, which in its beginnings was a Chalcidian colony established five years earlier. It is virtually the only Greek settlement in Sicily that is not located on the coast, founded around 6 miles inland. The site, originally held by the Sicels, was seized by the Greeks owing to their command on the fertile plain in the north. The city was reduced to subject status in 494 BC by Hippocrates of Gela, who made his ally Aenesidemus its tyrant. In 476 BC, Hieron of Syracuse moved the inhabitants from Catana and Naxos to Leontini. Later on, the city of Leontini regained its independence. However, as a part of the inhabitants efforts to retain their independence, they invoked more than once the interventions of Athens. It was mainly the eloquence of Gorgias of Leontini which led to the abortive Athenian expedition of 427 BC. In 422 BC, the Greek city-state of Syracuse supported the oligarchs against the people and received them as citizens, Leontini itself being forsaken. This led to a renewed Athenian intervention. Initially as a diplomatic one, the exiles of Leontini joined the envoys of Segesta in persuading Athens to undertake the great Sicilian Expedition of 415 BC. After the failure of the Expedition, Leontini became subject to Syracuse once more. The city′s independence was guaranteed by the treaty of 405 BC between Dionysius and the Carthaginians, but it was soon lost again. The city was finally stormed by Marcus Claudius Marcellus in 214 BC.

A superb piece from Leontini′s earliest tetradrachm issue; its obverse
was copied from those on the contemporary tetradrachms of Syracuse.
Rare.

cf. Nomos auction 23, 30 November 2021, lot 25 (in xf; SFR 28.000 +  22,5%)

cf. BMC 3 ; SNG.ANS.203 ; SNG.Delepierre 562-563var. ;
Boehringer, Zur Münzgeschichte von Leontinoi in Klassischer Zeit,
FS Price, pl. 10,8 ; cf. Jameson 621 ; Rizzo pl. XXII, 10 ; cf. Pozzi 1056 ;
SNG.Copenhagen 338 ; SNG.München 539 ; cf. McClean 2317 ;
cf. Sear 825 ; HGC 2, 660 R
perfectly centered
xf-/xf

weight 8,28gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Nude rider on horseback right
rev. Lion′s head right, ΛEONTINO (retrograde) and four grains of barley around

The city of Leontinoi was founded by colonists from Naxos as Leontini in 729 BC, which in its beginnings was a Chalcidian colony established five years earlier. It is virtually the only Greek settlement in Sicily that is not located on the coast, founded around 6 miles inland. The site, originally held by the Sicels, was seized by the Greeks owing to their command on the fertile plain in the north. The city was reduced to subject status in 494 BC by Hippocrates of Gela, who made his ally Aenesidemus its tyrant. In 476 BC, Hieron of Syracuse moved the inhabitants from Catana and Naxos to Leontini. Later on, the city of Leontini regained its independence. However, as a part of the inhabitants efforts to retain their independence, they invoked more than once the interventions of Athens. It was mainly the eloquence of Gorgias of Leontini which led to the abortive Athenian expedition of 427 BC. In 422 BC, the Greek city-state of Syracuse supported the oligarchs against the people and received them as citizens, Leontini itself being forsaken. This led to a renewed Athenian intervention. Initially as a diplomatic one, the exiles of Leontini joined the envoys of Segesta in persuading Athens to undertake the great Sicilian Expedition of 415 BC. After the failure of the Expedition, Leontini became subject to Syracuse once more. The city′s independence was guaranteed by the treaty of 405 BC between Dionysius and the Carthaginians, but it was soon lost again. The city was finally stormed by Marcus Claudius Marcellus in 214 BC.

The head or scalp of a lion (leon in Greek) refers of course to the name
of the city of Leontinoi and serves as a punning badge of the city.

cf. BMC 13 ; SNG.ANS.209 (same dies) ; SNG.Copenhagen 338 ;
SNG.Lloyd 1044 ; SNG.München 543 ; McClean 2322 ; cf. Sear 826 RR
Wonderful coin with attractive tone. Very rare.
vf/vf+

weight 0,49gr. ; silver Ø 10mm.

obv. Lion′s scalp facing within border of dots
rev. Barleycorn between  Λ E - O N

The city of Leontinoi was founded by colonists from Naxos as Leontini in 729 BC, which in its beginnings was a Chalcidian colony established five years earlier. It is virtually the only Greek settlement in Sicily that is not located on the coast, founded around 6 miles inland. The site, originally held by the Sicels, was seized by the Greeks owing to their command on the fertile plain in the north. The city was reduced to subject status in 494 BC by Hippocrates of Gela, who made his ally Aenesidemus its tyrant. In 476 BC, Hieron of Syracuse moved the inhabitants from Catana and Naxos to Leontini. Later on, the city of Leontini regained its independence. However, as a part of the inhabitants efforts to retain their independence, they invoked more than once the interventions of Athens. It was mainly the eloquence of Gorgias of Leontini which led to the abortive Athenian expedition of 427 BC. In 422 BC, the Greek city-state of Syracuse supported the oligarchs against the people and received them as citizens, Leontini itself being forsaken. This led to a renewed Athenian intervention. Initially as a diplomatic one, the exiles of Leontini joined the envoys of Segesta in persuading Athens to undertake the great Sicilian Expedition of 415 BC. After the failure of the Expedition, Leontini became subject to Syracuse once more. The city′s independence was guaranteed by the treaty of 405 BC between Dionysius and the Carthaginians, but it was soon lost again. The city was finally stormed by Marcus Claudius Marcellus in 214 BC.

The head or scalp of a lion (leon in Greek) refers of course to the name
of the city of Leontinoi and serves as a punning badge of the city.

The earliest silver coinage struck in Leontinoi appears to have been produced in the early first century BC, under the influence of Hieron I of Syracuse. This involves tetradrachmes, didrachms, drachms and obols struck to the Attic standard (circa 17,20 gram to the tetradrachm). Although the official weight of the obol, according to the Attic standard, should be circa 0,71 gr. In practice, these obols are usually considerably lighter, also in this case. In the past, these obols were incorrectly described as litrai (official weight 0.86 grams). The letter order in which the city name is written on this obol is highly unusual and therefore very rare.

BMC 19var. ; SNG.ANS.213-216var. ; Jameson collection 624var. ;
cf. SNG.Copenhagen 342 ; SNG.München 546var. ; cf. McClean 2327 ;
cf. Sear 828; HGC 2, 687 RR
Wonderful specimen of this early coin type.
xf-

weight 16,70gr. ; silver Ø 23mm.

obv. Head of Apollo right, wearing laurel-wreath of two rows of leaves,
hair cut short in front and tied in bunch behind with cord
rev. Lion’s head right, mouth open; around, four barley-corns and  LEO - NTI - NO - N

The city of Leontinoi was founded by colonists from Naxos as Leontini in 729 BC, which in its beginnings was a Chalcidian colony established five years earlier. It is virtually the only Greek settlement in Sicily that is not located on the coast, founded around 6 miles inland. The site, originally held by the Sicels, was seized by the Greeks owing to their command on the fertile plain in the north. The city was reduced to subject status in 494 BC by Hippocrates of Gela, who made his ally Aenesidemus its tyrant. In 476 BC, Hieron of Syracuse moved the inhabitants from Catana and Naxos to Leontini. Later on, the city of Leontini regained its independence. However, as a part of the inhabitants efforts to retain their independence, they invoked more than once the interventions of Athens. It was mainly the eloquence of Gorgias of Leontini which led to the abortive Athenian expedition of 427 BC. In 422 BC, the Greek city-state of Syracuse supported the oligarchs against the people and received them as citizens, Leontini itself being forsaken. This led to a renewed Athenian intervention. Initially as a diplomatic one, the exiles of Leontini joined the envoys of Segesta in persuading Athens to undertake the great Sicilian Expedition of 415 BC. After the failure of the Expedition, Leontini became subject to Syracuse once more. The city′s independence was guaranteed by the treaty of 405 BC between Dionysius and the Carthaginians, but it was soon lost again. The city was finally stormed by Marcus Claudius Marcellus in 214 BC.

The head or scalp of a lion (leon in Greek) refers of course to the name
of the city of Leontinoi and serves as a punning badge of the city.

BMC 29 ; SNG.ANS.228 ; cf. SNG.Copenhagen 347 ;
SNG.München 551 ; cf. McClean 2335 ; Boehringer 37 ;
Randazzo 41 ; Jameson collection 629 ; cf. Sear 832 ;
HGC 2, 667 R
Some very minor roughness. Very attractive classical style. Rare.
good vf

weight 16,95gr. ; silver Ø 26mm.

obv. Head of Apollo facing left, wearing a laurel-wreath of two rows
of leaves, hair cut short in front and tied in bunch behind with cord
rev. Lion′s head right, mouth open and tongue protruding, within circle;
around, four barley-corns and  L E - O N - T I - NO – N (retrograde, anti-clockwise)

The city of Leontinoi was founded by colonists from Naxos as Leontini in 729 BC, which in its beginnings was a Chalcidian colony established five years earlier. It is virtually the only Greek settlement in Sicily that is not located on the coast, founded around 6 miles inland. The site, originally held by the Sicels, was seized by the Greeks owing to their command on the fertile plain in the north. The city was reduced to subject status in 494 BC by Hippocrates of Gela, who made his ally Aenesidemus its tyrant. In 476 BC, Hieron of Syracuse moved the inhabitants from Catana and Naxos to Leontini. Later on, the city of Leontini regained its independence. However, as a part of the inhabitants efforts to retain their independence, they invoked more than once the interventions of Athens. It was mainly the eloquence of Gorgias of Leontini which led to the abortive Athenian expedition of 427 BC. In 422 BC, the Greek city-state of Syracuse supported the oligarchs against the people and received them as citizens, Leontini itself being forsaken. This led to a renewed Athenian intervention. Initially as a diplomatic one, the exiles of Leontini joined the envoys of Segesta in persuading Athens to undertake the great Sicilian Expedition of 415 BC. After the failure of the Expedition, Leontini became subject to Syracuse once more. The city′s independence was guaranteed by the treaty of 405 BC between Dionysius and the Carthaginians, but it was soon lost again. The city was finally stormed by Marcus Claudius Marcellus in 214 BC.

The head or scalp of a lion (leon in Greek) refers of course to the name of the city of Leontinoi and serves as a punning badge of the city. The ears of corn refer to rich grain cultivation in the area around Leontinoi.

This type with the small lion head in circle is lacking is most collections. 
Very rare.

BMC 37-38var. ; SNG.ANS.234-236var. ; SNG.Copenhagen 349-350var. ;
Gulbenkian - ; SNG.Delepierre 571var. ; SNG.München 558var. ;
McClean 2337-2339var. ; Boehringer 53var. ; SNG.Lockett 800var. ;
Jameson collection - ; cf. Sear 833 ; cf. HGC 2, 668 RR
Well-centered specimen of a wonderful classical style. 
vf

weight 16,95gr. ; silver Ø 26mm.

obv. Head of Apollo facing left, wearing a laurel-wreath
of leaves, hair cut short in front and tied in bunch behind with cord
rev. Lion′s head right, mouth open and tongue protruding;
around, four barley-corns and  L E O  - N - T I - NON

The city of Leontinoi was founded by colonists from Naxos as Leontini in 729 BC, which in its beginnings was a Chalcidian colony established five years earlier. It is virtually the only Greek settlement in Sicily that is not located on the coast, founded around 6 miles inland. The site, originally held by the Sicels, was seized by the Greeks owing to their command on the fertile plain in the north. The city was reduced to subject status in 494 BC by Hippocrates of Gela, who made his ally Aenesidemus its tyrant. In 476 BC, Hieron of Syracuse moved the inhabitants from Catana and Naxos to Leontini. Later on, the city of Leontini regained its independence. However, as a part of the inhabitants efforts to retain their independence, they invoked more than once the interventions of Athens. It was mainly the eloquence of Gorgias of Leontini which led to the abortive Athenian expedition of 427 BC. In 422 BC, the Greek city-state of Syracuse supported the oligarchs against the people and received them as citizens, Leontini itself being forsaken. This led to a renewed Athenian intervention. Initially as a diplomatic one, the exiles of Leontini joined the envoys of Segesta in persuading Athens to undertake the great Sicilian Expedition of 415 BC. After the failure of the Expedition, Leontini became subject to Syracuse once more. The city′s independence was guaranteed by the treaty of 405 BC between Dionysius and the Carthaginians, but it was soon lost again. The city was finally stormed by Marcus Claudius Marcellus in 214 BC.

The head or scalp of a lion (leon in Greek) refers of course to the name of the city of Leontinoi and serves as a punning badge of the city. The ears of corn refer to rich grain cultivation in the area around Leontinoi.

This coin is the work of an artist termed, after Rizzo, the ″maestro della foglia″ (″Master of the Leaf″), because of his use of leaves as a form of signature. He was an exceptionally talented and skilled master-engraver.

Boehringer, Studies Price, pl.12, 55 ; Rizzo pl. XXIV, 4 ;
SNG ANS 256-7 ; Basel 353 ; Maltese 138 ; HGC 2, 671
Some minor die breaks, traces of die rust and weakness of strike.
A magnificent specimen of excellent classical style with an elegant
portrait. Boldly struck with a lovely light iridescent tone. Rare.
vf/xf

weight 4,17gr. ; silver Ø 17mm.

obv. Head of Apollo right, wearing laurel-wreath of two rows of leaves,
hair cut short in front and tied in bunch behind with cord
rev. Lion′s head right, mouth open; around, four barley-corns, in front LE - ON

The city of Leontinoi was founded by colonists from Naxos as Leontini in 729 BC, which in its beginnings was a Chalcidian colony established five years earlier. It is virtually the only Greek settlement in Sicily that is not located on the coast, founded around 6 miles inland. The site, originally held by the Sicels, was seized by the Greeks owing to their command on the fertile plain in the north. The city was reduced to subject status in 494 BC by Hippocrates of Gela, who made his ally Aenesidemus its tyrant. In 476 BC, Hieron of Syracuse moved the inhabitants from Catana and Naxos to Leontini. Later on, the city of Leontini regained its independence. However, as a part of the inhabitants efforts to retain their independence, they invoked more than once the interventions of Athens. It was mainly the eloquence of Gorgias of Leontini which led to the abortive Athenian expedition of 427 BC. In 422 BC, the Greek city-state of Syracuse supported the oligarchs against the people and received them as citizens, Leontini itself being forsaken. This led to a renewed Athenian intervention. Initially as a diplomatic one, the exiles of Leontini joined the envoys of Segesta in persuading Athens to undertake the great Sicilian Expedition of 415 BC. After the failure of the Expedition, Leontini became subject to Syracuse once more. The city′s independence was guaranteed by the treaty of 405 BC between Dionysius and the Carthaginians, but it was soon lost again. The city was finally stormed by Marcus Claudius Marcellus in 214 BC.

The head or scalp of a lion (leon in Greek) refers of course to the name
of the city of Leontinoi and serves as a punning badge of the city.

Drachms of Leontinoi are much more rare than the quite common tetradrachms.
Very rare.

BMC 42 ; SNG.ANS.258 ; SNG.Copenhagen 354-355 ; Sear (cf. 835) ;  
SNG.München - (cf. 561) ; McClean - (cf. 2343) ; Jameson collection 633 ;
Boehringer 1998, no. 54 ; Rizzo Pl. 23, 23 ; HGC 2, no.683 (this coin illustrated)  RR
Very attractive classical style.
vf

weight 17,33gr. ; silver Ø 25mm.

obv. Charioteer driving slow biga of mules right, in exergue leaf, dotted border
rev. Hare running right, around MESSENION, dotted border.

Messana was originally colonized by settlers from Cumae and Euboea who named the city Zancle. It prospered for a couple centuries before it was captured by the tyrant Anaxilas in 490. Since Anaxilas was of Messenian descent, he changed the city′s name from Zancle to Messana, and populated it with new arrivals from Messenia and Samos. Amongst other things, the tyrant Anaxilas is credited with introducing the hare to Sicily. The obverse depicts a charioteer driving a chariot drawn by two mules (an apene). Apene races were first held at the Olympic Games around 500 BC. The tyrant Anaxilas, apparently had an Olympic mule-team victory in 480 BC and he commemorated it with this coin type. The design is associated with Messana and it was kept after Anaxilas′ death in 476 BC. The reverse depicts a hare jumping with the inscription ″MESSENION″(of the Messenians). The hare on the reverse may symbolize the speed of Anaxilas′ chariot, or it may symbolize some association with fertility and abundance. The hare may also be on the coin simply because hare hunts were a favorite aristocratic pastime. But most likely it refers to the god Pan, as the hare is an animal sacred to the god Pan. Messana had a temple in Messana and was widely worshipped there.

BMC 14 ; Caltabiano 77 ; Babelon, Traité, Pl.LXXII, 13 ;
SNG Copenhagen 393var. ; SNG ANS 320var. ; McClean 2378var. ;
Gulbenkian- ; Jameson - ; Pozzi 1088 (same obverse die) ; Sear 842 ;
HGC 2, 779
very attractive for this early type
vf+/vf

weight 16,68gr. ; silver Ø 23mm.

obv. Charioteer driving slow biga of mules right, in exergue leaf, dotted border
rev. Hare running right, around MESSENION, dotted border.

Messana was originally colonized by settlers from Cumae and Euboea who named the city Zancle. It prospered for a couple centuries before it was captured by the tyrant Anaxilas in 490. Since Anaxilas was of Messenian descent, he changed the city′s name from Zancle to Messana, and populated it with new arrivals from Messenia and Samos. Amongst other things, the tyrant Anaxilas is credited with introducing the hare to Sicily. The obverse depicts a charioteer driving a chariot drawn by two mules (an apene). Apene races were first held at the Olympic Games around 500 BC. The tyrant Anaxilas, apparently had an Olympic mule-team victory in 480 BC and he commemorated it with this coin type. The design is associated with Messana and it was kept after Anaxilas′ death in 476 BC. The reverse depicts a hare jumping with the inscription ″MESSENION″(of the Messenians). The hare on the reverse may symbolize the speed of Anaxilas′ chariot, or it may symbolize some association with fertility and abundance. The hare may also be on the coin simply because hare hunts were a favorite aristocratic pastime. But most likely it refers to the god Pan, as the hare is an animal sacred to the god Pan. Messana had a temple in Messana and was widely worshipped there.

BMC 14 ; SNG.München 629 ; cf. Caltabiano 225 ; Babelon, Traité, Pl.LXXII, 13 ;
SNG Copenhagen 389 ; SNG ANS 317-318 ; McClean 2378 ; Sear 842
f à f+

weight 17,30gr. ; silver Ø 24mm.

obv. Charioteer driving slow biga of mules right, in exergue leaf, dotted border
rev. Hare running right, around MESSANIOИ, , dotted border.

Messana was originally colonized by settlers from Cumae and Euboea who named the city Zancle. It prospered for a couple centuries before it was captured by the tyrant Anaxilas in 490. Since Anaxilas was of Messenian descent, he changed the city′s name from Zancle to Messana, and populated it with new arrivals from Messenia and Samos. Amongst other things, the tyrant Anaxilas is credited with introducing the hare to Sicily. The obverse depicts a charioteer driving a chariot drawn by two mules (an apene). Apene races were first held at the Olympic Games around 500 BC. The tyrant Anaxilas, apparently had an Olympic mule-team victory in 480 BC and he commemorated it with this coin type. The design is associated with Messana and it was kept after Anaxilas′ death in 476 BC. The reverse depicts a hare jumping with the inscription ″MESSENION″(of the Messenians). The hare on the reverse may symbolize the speed of Anaxilas′ chariot, or it may symbolize some association with fertility and abundance. The hare may also be on the coin simply because hare hunts were a favorite aristocratic pastime. But most likely it refers to the god Pan, as the hare is an animal sacred to the god Pan. Messana had a temple in Messana and was widely worshipped there.

BMC 26 ; Caltabiano, series IX, 377 ; SNG.Delepierre 589var. ;
SNG Copenhagen - ; SNG ANS - (cf. 340) ; McClean - (cf. 2390) ;
Gulbenkian- ; Jameson - (cf. 646) ; Pozzi - (cf. 485) ; Sear 847var. ;
SNG.Tübingen - ; SNG.München - (cf. 641) ; Babelon, Traité, -- ;
Weber collection 1416var. ; HGC 2, 783
Very attractive for this early type. Rare this nice.
vf/xf

weight 16,84gr. ; silver Ø 27mm.

obv. Biga of mules left, driven by female charioteer (Messana),
who goad in her right hand and reins in  left, above Nikè flying right,
holding wreath in her right hand and kerykeion (caduceus) in her left,
fish swimming to the left in exergue, dotted border
rev. Hare jumping to the left, beneath, an eagle standing to the left
on a Corinthian helmet, devouring serpent, on the right the legend;
MEΣΣANIΩN, dotted border.

Messana was originally colonized by settlers from Cumae and Euboea who named the city Zancle. It prospered for a couple centuries before it was captured by the tyrant Anaxilas in 490. Since Anaxilas was of Messenian descent, he changed the city′s name from Zancle to Messana, and populated it with new arrivals from Miletos and Samos. Amongst other things, the tyrant Anaxilas is credited with introducing the hare to Sicily. The obverse depicts a charioteer driving a chariot drawn by two mules (an apene). Apene races were first held at the Olympic Games around 500 BC. The tyrant Anaxilas, apparently had an Olympic mule-team victory in 480 BC and he commemorated it with this coin type. The design is associated with Messana and it was kept after Anaxilas′ death in 476 BC. The reverse depicts a hare jumping with the inscription ″MEΣΣANIΩN ″ (of the Messenians). The hare on the reverse may symbolize the speed of Anaxilas′ chariot, or it may symbolize some association with fertility and abundance. The hare may also be on the coin simply because hare hunts were a favorite aristocratic pastime. But most likely it refers to the god Pan, as the hare is an animal sacred to the god Pan. Messana had a temple in Messana and was widely worshipped there.

The dies of this coin are the work of a master engraver/die cutter. On some specimens there is a signature ″ΣIMIN″ in very tiny letters visible on the exergue line. On our piece this signature is not clearly visible, however, the dies for this entire issue were undoubtedly made by one and the same master engraver / die cutter, Simin. So also this piece can be attributed without doubt to the artist Simin. The style is certainly influenced by the Syracusian master engraver Kimon, who also had the trick, on occasion, of putting his signature on the base line in the same exposed position.

♦  higly important masterpiece of the artist engraver Simin ♦

BMC 56 ; SNG.München 659 ; Caltabiano, serie XV, 627-630 ;
SNG Copenhagen - ; SNG ANS 381 ; McClean - ; Weber - ;
Sear - ; HGC 2, 803 (R2) ; SNG.Delepierre - ; SNG.Tübingen - ;
Pozzi 496 ; Jameson 653 ; Gulbenkian 226-227 ;  SNG Lloyd 1106 ;
Rizzo pl. XXVII, 9 ; Franke-Hirmer Pl.19, 59 ; Woodward 71 RR
Wonderful, well centered example with beautiful tone. Very rare.
vf/xf

weight 6,84gr. ; silver Ø 21mm.

obv. Head of Persephone facing left, veiled and
wearing wreath of grain ears; holley leaf to right
rev. Nike, holding kentron and reins, driving fast quadriga right;
HΣ-monogram above, ΣIKEΛIΩTAN in exergue.

Erik Sjöqvist in ANSMN 1960 illuminated the background of this interesting coinage. As part of the Syracusan kingdom of Hieron II, Morgantina was implicitly allied to Rome. After the death of Hieron however, Morgantina in 214 BC switched its allegiance to Carthage. Sjöqvist argued that the Sikeliotan people inhabited Morgantina and that the town was pro-Carthiginian and wealthy in c. 214-212 BC when this coinage was struck in name of the Sikeliotes. Sjöqvist suggests that the dies for the coinage were cut by highly talented Syracusan engravers, in the style of the Syracusan coinages of Hieron II and Hieronymos. The city remained autonomous and acted as a centre of pro-Carthaginian operations in Sicily until it was conquered in 211 by Roman forces leaded by Marcus Cornelius - the last Sicilian city to fall.

♦ An amazing and rare historical coin ♦

cf. NAC 126, lot 34 in xf/unc; SFR 9.000 + 23%)

Erim & Jaunzems II ; BAR Issue 3 ; Enna 110 ; Campana 12 ;
Buttrey, Morgantina Studies II, 430 ; AMB. 414 ; Jameson 885 ;
Sjöqvist p.55, 2 (plate 6,3) ; SNG ANS 1168 ; SNG Lloyd 1578 ;
Gulbenkian 362 = Bement 557 ; HGC 2, 910 R
struck with some very minor weaknesses
xf/unc à xf+

weight 8,49gr. ; silver Ø 20mm.

obv. The river-god Krimisos, in the form of a hunting dog
″Cirneco of Etna″, standing right, on the scent; above, head of nymph
rev. Head of Aigiste to right, hair bound with diadem-shaped band in
a krobylos, before; ΣAΓEΣ

Segesta (or Egesta), located in the north-west corner of Sicily, was an important trading town from the 7th century BC onwards. Situated on the strategically advantageous slopes of Mt. Barbaro, yet still close enough to the coast to support a trading port, Segesta established itself as the most important regional town of the Elymi people. Trade flourished, Doric architecture from Greece was assimilated, there was an independent army and even a mint. An emporium on the coast allowed for the trade and export of locally produced goods such as wine, corn, wool, walnuts, wood, and olives. Segesta did not have everything her own way, though. The construction of fortification walls suggests a significant threat from enemy city-states and between 580 and 576 BC, the rivalry with Selinus (Selinunte) on the southern coast of the island finally broke out in war. In the mid-5th century BC Segesta reached the zenith of its prosperity and importance. This brought with it an end to the friendly relations which had finally been established with Selinus, and, in circa 458 BC (traditional date), a treaty of mutual cooperation with Athens.

In 416 BC rivalry with Selinus resulted in another war and Athens was called upon (and paid) to give military aid. In addition to a financial incentive, the threat of the east coast polis Syracuse dominating Sicily and becoming an even more powerful ally of Sparta - Athens′ long-time enemy - was another argument used to encourage Athens to increase her sphere of influence. In the spring of 415 BC, Athens responded to Segesta′s request by sending the general Alcibiades and a fleet of 60 ships. However, the help never arrived, as the fleet was re-directed to a disastrous war directly against Syracuse with Segesta even sending 300 cavalry in support. Syracuse was the most powerful city on Sicily and ally of Selinus, and it was perhaps her defeat that really motivated Athenian interest in Sicily. Following the Athenian defeat and as an alternative strategy for self-preservation, Segesta appealed to Carthage, but the response was ambiguous - Selinus was sacked in 409 BC but the Carthaginians, eager to maintain their grip on Mediterranean trade, firmly planted themselves as masters of western Sicily and established a garrison at Segesta. In 405 BC a treaty was signed between Syracuse and Carthage to divide up the island between these two dominant parties.

Things got even worse for Segesta when the Syracusan tyrant Agathocles sacked the city in 307 BC. The changing of the town′s name to Diceopolis was one of the lesser indignities the local population had to put up with under this brutal ruler. The new master was not in charge for long, though, as Carthage quickly re-asserted control of the region. With the first Punic War (264-241 BC), Segesta once more became embroiled in bitter regional politics and power again changed hands, so that by 210 BC the whole of Sicily became a province of the new masters of the Mediterranean: the Romans.

Under Roman rule Segesta once more enjoyed a period of prosperity. The town expanded its territory and was, in 225 BC, given the status of civitas immunis et libera, which resulted in fewer taxes and an increase in political autonomy. Indicators of this return to the good times are the 2nd century BC theatre, agora, bouleuterion (seat of the town council), and city walls. However, from the late 1st century AD the town begins a slow decline and recedes from the historical scene, to be finally abandoned from the 2nd century AD in favour of the nearby Aquae Segestanae.

One of the Greeks foundation stories tells us that Segesta was a settlement of the hero Aigestes (or Egeste), who was a son of the Trojan princess, Aigiste, and the river gold, Krimisos. The Trojan prinsess Aigiste is prominent depicted on Segeste′s coinage.

The ″Cirneco of Etna″, is a very old Sicilian hound race, used for hound coursings and the hunt on rabbits. In mythology it is associated with the origin of Segesta; the animal may refer to the founding myth that describes a dog as the personification of the river god Crimisus. It was he who fell in love with a local nymph (Egesta), and their resulting offspring, Egesto, was credited with being the founder of the city.

BMC - ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.München- ; McClean- ;
SNG.ANS.- (cf. 639) ; Coll.Pozzi- ; Jameson- ; Sear- (cf. 897) ;
HGC 2, 1143var. (R2)  RR
Struck with slightly worn dies.
Highly interesting and very rare historical coin.
vf

weight 17,01gr. ; silver Ø 28mm.

obv. Quadriga walking to left, driven by Artemis standing left and holding 
the reins in both hands, to her left, Apollo standing left, shooting an arrow 
from his bow rev. Head of nymph Segesta right, hair bound with tainia and 
wearing necklace, above; ΣΕΛΙΝΟ - ΝΤΙ - ΟΣ (retrograde)
rev. The river-god Selinos, nude but for a flat, horned cap, walking slowly 
to left, holding a phiale in his right hand and a laurel branch with his left; 
to left, under his phiale, a pedimental altar adorned with a wreath and with 
a cock standing left at its base; to right, on a tall pedestal, statue of a bull 
standing left; above right, selinon leaf, above; ΣΕΛΙ-Ν-Ο-Σ

Selinos was an ancient Greek city on the south-western coast of Sicily in Italy. It was situated between the valleys of the Cottone and Modione rivers. It was founded, according to the historian Thucydides, by a colony from the Sicilian city of Megara Hyblaea, under the leadership of a man called Pammilus, about 100 years after the foundation of Megara Hyblaea, with the help of colonists from Megara in Greece, which was Megara Hyblaea′s mother city. The date of its foundation cannot be precisely fixed, as Thucydides indicates it only by reference to the foundation of Megara Hyblaea, which is itself not accurately known, but it may be placed about 628 BC. Diodorus places it 22 years earlier, or 650 BC, and Hieronymus still further back in 654 BC. The name is supposed to have been derived from quantities of wild celery that grew on the spot. For the same reason, they adopted the celery leaf as the symbol on their coins. At its peak before 409 BC the city may have contained up to 30.000 people, excluding slaves. Spring 409 BC the Carthaginians sent over a vast army containing 100.000 men, according to the lowest ancient estimate, led by Hannibal Mago. The army landed at Lilybaeum, and directly marched from there to Selinunte. According to sources, 16.000 of the citizens of Selinunte were killed, 5.000 were taken prisoner, and 2.600 escaped to Akragas. The city has never recovered from the event. In the 4th and 3rd century it was controlled by different rulers. Around 250 BC, the city was finally destroyed by the Carthaginians. The inhabitants were moved to Libybaeum.

Selinos was one of the first Sicilian cities to issue coins, commencing circa 540-530 BC, striking staters probably initially on the Corinthian standard, but later on the Attic. The name of the city is thought to have been derived from the name of the wild celery that grew in the area, known as selinon. Indeed, early staters depicted a large selinon leaf as the obverse type, but these were eventually superseded by Syracusan-inspired chariot designs such as the present tetradrachm. However the selinon leaf as a motif was not entirely abandoned and the later coinage retained this early emblem of the city on the reverse as an adjunct symbol as can be seen in this example. The connection with Syracuse was not limited to the influence of the iconography of their coinage, however: the people of Selinos are mentioned by Diodorus as being amongst the Sicilian allies who rallied together to expel the last tyrant of Syracuse in 466/467 BC, Thrasyboulos (Diodorus Siculus, Biblioteca Historica, xi.68). The obverse of this coin therefore can be seen to hint at the relationship between the two cities beyond surface artistry.

Two other subordinate elements of the reverse design are present which have attracted considerable attention - the cockerel before an altar, and the bull set upon a platform. Since the bull and its platform vary considerably in form and style from one die to the next, a local statue is ruled out as a possibility. A. H. Lloyd (N.C. 1935) considered these two symbols to represent the long-standing friendship of Selinos with Himera, since the cockerel was the principal type of Himera and he identified the bull as the infamous brazen bull of the tyrant Phalaris of Akragas, in which he is said to have roasted his enemies alive, on the basis that Himera was one of the important acquisitions of Phalaris in his quest to become master of Sicily. It has also been posited that the bull may be present as a result of the connection of bulls and river gods, which is perhaps corroborated by the presence of fish alongside bulls on Thourian reverse types. Both symbols are rendered in exquisite detail, the miniature bull easily the equal of any Thourians. The principal element of the reverse however is a real tour de force. The figure is the river-god Selinos, portrayed as an idealised nude youth holding a phiale and carefully detailed laurel branch, set with a diadem about his brow.

cf. Numismatica Genevensis, auction 9, lot 14 in xf: SFR 65.000 + 17,5%.
That specimen has the same obverse die as the piece offered here.

cf. NAC auction 146, Lot 2089 (in about xf: 100.000 + 22.5%)

Some very minor scratches of cleaning and struck with a worn obverse die.
Nevertheless a very rare coin and of lovely early classical style and a marvelous
depiction of  the river god Selinos.

BMC 26 ; Rizzo pls. XXXI, 9 and XXXII, 2 ; Schwabacher, 
Die Tetradrachmenprägung von Selinunt (Munich, 1925), 5 ; 
cf. SNG Lloyd 1221 ; SNG.ANS.688 ; cf. SNG.Copenhagen 598 ;
cf. SNG.Delepierre 605 ; McClean 2575 ; HGC 2, 1220 ; cf. Sear 906 RR
vf/xf

weight 17,32gr. ; silver Ø 27mm.

obv. Artemis, holding reins in both hands, driving quadriga right; beside her,
Apollo standing right, drawing bow, barley grain in exergue
rev. River god Selinos, nude, standing facing, head left, holding in right hand a phiale
over lighted altar, cradling in left arm a palm frond decorated with fillet; before altar,
cock standing left; to right, selinon leaf above bull standing left on basis;
ΣEΛ-INONTI-ON around.

Selinous was an ancient Greek city on the south-western coast of Sicily in Italy. It was situated between the valleys of the Cottone and Modione rivers. It was founded, according to the historian Thucydides, by a colony from the Sicilian city of Megara Hyblaea, under the leadership of a man called Pammilus, about 100 years after the foundation of Megara Hyblaea, with the help of colonists from Megara in Greece, which was Megara Hyblaea′s mother city. The date of its foundation cannot be precisely fixed, as Thucydides indicates it only by reference to the foundation of Megara Hyblaea, which is itself not accurately known, but it may be placed about 628 BC. Diodorus places it 22 years earlier, or 650 BC, and Hieronymus still further back in 654 BC. The name is supposed to have been derived from quantities of wild celery that grew on the spot. For the same reason, they adopted the celery leaf as the symbol on their coins. At its peak before 409 BC the city may have contained up to 30.000 people, excluding slaves. Spring 409 BC the Carthaginians sent over a vast army containing 100.000 men, according to the lowest ancient estimate, led by Hannibal Mago. The army landed at Lilybaeum, and directly marched from there to Selinunte. According to sources, 16.000 of the citizens of Selinunte were killed, 5.000 were taken prisoner, and 2.600 escaped to Akragas. The city has never recovered from the event. In the 4th and 3rd century it was controlled by different rulers. Around 250 BC, the city was finally destroyed by the Carthaginians. The inhabitants were moved to Libybaeum.

Selinous was one of the first Sicilian cities to issue coins, commencing circa 540-530 BC, striking staters probably initially on the Corinthian standard, but later on the Attic. The name of the city is thought to have been derived from the name of the wild celery that grew in the area, known as selinon. Indeed, early staters depicted a large selinon leaf as the obverse type, but these were eventually superseded by Syracusan-inspired chariot designs such as the present tetradrachm. However the selinon leaf as a motif was not entirely abandoned and the later coinage retained this early emblem of the city on the reverse as an adjunct symbol as can be seen in this example. The connection with Syracuse was not limited to the influence of the iconography of their coinage, however: the people of Selinos are mentioned by Diodorus as being amongst the Sicilian allies who rallied together to expel the last tyrant of Syracuse in 466/467 BC, Thrasyboulos (Diodorus Siculus, Biblioteca Historica, xi.68). The obverse of this coin therefore can be seen to hint at the relationship between the two cities beyond surface artistry. It may also refer to Selinous′ mother city, Megara, as Apollo and Artemis are the patron deities of that city.

Two other subordinate elements of the reverse design are present which have attracted considerable attention - the cockerel before an altar, and the bull set upon a platform. Since the bull and its platform vary considerably in form and style from one die to the next, a local statue is ruled out as a possibility. A. H. Lloyd (N.C. 1935) considered these two symbols to represent the long-standing friendship of Selinous with Himera, since the cockerel was the principal type of Himera and he identified the bull as the infamous brazen bull of the tyrant Phalaris of Akragas, in which he is said to have roasted his enemies alive, on the basis that Himera was one of the important acquisitions of Phalaris in his quest to become master of Sicily.

Both symbols are rendered in exquisite detail, the miniature bull easily the equal of any Thourians. The principal element of the reverse however is a real tour de force. The figure is the river-god Selinos, portrayed as an idealised nude youth holding a phiale and carefully detailed laurel branch, set with a wreath of laurels about his brow. The level of anatomical detail lavished on this depiction of the river-god is nothing less than sublime; from the toned calves and well-built thighs and torso, to the rippled skin above the knee and the hollow in front of the elbow, no effort has been spared on the part of the engraver. We should not be in any doubt that the individual responsible for this masterpiece was certainly in the first rank of die engravers active in mid-late fifth century Sicily.

cf. Hess-Divo Auction 329, lot 22 in vf (SFR 10.000 + 20%)

BMC 32 ; SNG.Copenhagen 600var. ; Schwabacher MBNG XLIII,1925, no.19a ;
HGC 2, 1221 ; SNG.ANS.697-698 ; SNG Lloyd 1237;  Gillet 498 ; Hunterian 7 ;
McClean 2577 ; Rizzo pl. XXXIII, 3 ; Kunstfreund 103var.  R
Attractive toning. Rare.
vf

weight 16,84gr. ; silver Ø 25mm.

Tetradrachm work of the Master of the Large Arethusa head

obv. Slow quadriga driven right by charioteer, holding kentron and reins;
above, Nike flying right to crown horses.
rev. Head of the water nymph Arethusa right, hair bound with diadem-shaped
band, wearing earring and necklace with pendants; dotted neck truncation.
Around, four dolphins swimming clockwise, around  ΣYPAKOΣION

The slow quadriga had already been introduced as the standard obverse type for Syracusan tetradrachms by the end of the sixth or the beginning of the fifth century BC, but the head of Arethusa only evolved into a full reverse type in the early fifth century BC. Previously, if she was depicted at all, she appeared within a small circular punch in the center of a main incuse square reverse punch. However, once she had developed into a full type, she made a truly dramatic appearance, as can be seen from this stunning piece attributed to the unnamed artist known as the Master of the Large Arethusa Head. The reverse features a large head of Arethusa so perfect in its Archaic style that it seems to have been engraved from an observation of a contemporary Kore statue. The head has been lovingly engraved with fully beaded hair and a distinctive almond-shaped facing eye that still retains its pupil. This coin marks the superlative beginning to the long tradition of depicting Arethusa on the reverse of Syracusan tetradrachms.

A magnificent portrait of masterly style struck on a broad flan with a light tone.
A very rare coin, struck from dies attributed to one of the first masters of the
Syracusan mint, with a portrait of wonderful late archaic style.

cf. NAC, auction 124, lot 64 (in vf/xf ; SFR 65.000 + 23%)

Boehringer 46 (same dies) ; Rizzo pl.34,13 ; cf. Kraay 800 ;
SNG.Copenhagen- ; cf. SNG.München 921 ; SNG.ANS.10 (same dies) ;
cf. Kraay- Hirmer pl. 24,75 ; cf. Gillet 529 ; HGC.1304 (same dies)  RR
Minor testcut in edge. Magnificant coin of great style.
vf+

weight 16,96gr. ; silver Ø 25mm.

obv. Slow quadriga driven right by charioteer, holding kentron and reins;
above, Nike flying right to crown horses.
rev. Head of the water nymph Arethusa right, hair bound with diadem-shaped
band in a krobylos, wearing necklace. Around, four dolphins swimming clockwise, around
the text; ΣYP - AK - OΣ - I - O И

Gelon was the son of Deinomenes. According to Herodotus, Gelon′s ancestors came from the island of Telos in the Aegean Sea and were the founders of the city of Gela in southern Sicily. Gelon fought in a number of the conflicts between the various tyrant kings of Sicily and earned a reputation as a formidable soldier. His performance was so impressive that he was promoted to be commander of the cavalry for his uncle Hippocrates, tyrant of Gela. From this position he played a key role in a number of battles, including one against Syracuse, a city which he himself would later conquer. But it was not until Hippocrates was killed in a battle with the native Sicel tribe of Sicily at Hybla that Gelon′s rise to power began. Upon Hippocrates′ death his sons retained the throne, but the common people were tired of this family′s rule and revolted. Gelon quelled the revolt on the pretext of helping Hippocrates′ sons gain power. Instead, he took power for himself with the help of the army in 491 BC and established the tyranny of the Deinomenids (491 – 466 BC), a family who controlled several Greek colonies located on the island of Sicily. The territory now under his control as tyrant included that of Gela, Naxos in the east, Zankle in the northeast, and Kamarina in the south.

The term ″Deinomenid″ derives from the name of Deinomenes, the father of Gelon, Hieron, Polyzalos, and Thrasyboulos. The patriarch of the Deinomenid family, however, is not responsible for the foundation of the Deinomenid tyranny. In the 6th century BC, Kleander, a member of the aristocratic class of Gela caused the downfall of the city′s oligarchy. He established the tyranny that was later handed down to his brother Hippokrates, whose ″vigorous and ruthless activities made him within seven years master of all eastern Sicily.″ Hippokrates was responsible for bringing various cities under his rule, such as Kallipolis, Leontini, Naxos, and Zankle. Gelon took up this already successful tyranny for himself after the death of Hippokrates and developed it, expanding the territory under his control. Kleander introduced the tyranny that the Deinomenids would later claim, while Hippokrates expanded this tyranny′s sphere of influence and was a model of bold ambition which Gelon and his brothers would later follow.

The slow quadriga had already been introduced as the standard obverse type for Syracusan tetradrachms by the end of the sixth or the beginning of the fifth century BC, but the head of Arethusa only evolved into a full reverse type in the early fifth century BC. Previously, if she was depicted at all, she appeared within a small circular punch in the center of a main incuse square reverse punch. However, once she had developed into a full type, she made a truly dramatic appearance, as can be seen from this attractive piece. The reverse features a large head of Arethusa so perfect in its Archaic style that it seems to have been engraved from an observation of a contemporary Kore statue. The head has been lovingly engraved and a distinctive almond-shaped facing eye that still retains its pupil. This coin marks the superlative beginning to the long tradition of depicting Arethusa on the reverse of Syracusan tetradrachms.

A pleasant portrait of late Archaic style
and a lovely old cabinet tone. Rare.

cf. NAC 146, lot 2094 in about xf (SFR 14.000 + 22,5%)

cf. BMC 25-31 ; Boehringer 186 ; SNG.Copenhagen 618var. ;
SNG.ANS.58-59 ; cf. SNG. München 949 (same reverse die) ;
cf. Sear 913 ; HGC 2, 1306  R
very attractive specimen with light iridescent tone
vf+ à vf/xf

weight 16,93gr. ; silver Ø 22mm.

obv. Slow quadriga driven right by charioteer, holding kentron
and reins; above, Nike flying right to crown horses.
rev. Head of the water nymph Arethusa right, hair bound with
diadem-shaped band in a krobylos, wearing necklace. Around, 
four dolphins swimming clockwise, above, in front and below
the text; ΣYRAKOΣIO - N

Gelon was the son of Deinomenes. According to Herodotus, Gelon′s ancestors came from the island of Telos in the Aegean Sea and were the founders of the city of Gela in southern Sicily. Gelon fought in a number of the conflicts between the various tyrant kings of Sicily and earned a reputation as a formidable soldier. His performance was so impressive that he was promoted to be commander of the cavalry for his uncle Hippocrates, tyrant of Gela. From this position he played a key role in a number of battles, including one against Syracuse, a city which he himself would later conquer. But it was not until Hippocrates was killed in a battle with the native Sicel tribe of Sicily at Hybla that Gelon′s rise to power began. Upon Hippocrates′ death his sons retained the throne, but the common people were tired of this family′s rule and revolted. Gelon quelled the revolt on the pretext of helping Hippocrates′ sons gain power. Instead, he took power for himself with the help of the army in 491 BC and established the tyranny of the Deinomenids (491 – 466 BC), a family who controlled several Greek colonies located on the island of Sicily. The territory now under his control as tyrant included that of Gela, Naxos in the east, Zankle in the northeast, and Kamarina in the south.

The term ″Deinomenid″ derives from the name of Deinomenes, the father of Gelon, Hieron, Polyzalos, and Thrasyboulos. The patriarch of the Deinomenid family, however, is not responsible for the foundation of the Deinomenid tyranny. In the 6th century BC, Kleander, a member of the aristocratic class of Gela caused the downfall of the city′s oligarchy. He established the tyranny that was later handed down to his brother Hippokrates, whose ″vigorous and ruthless activities made him within seven years master of all eastern Sicily.″ Hippokrates was responsible for bringing various cities under his rule, such as Kallipolis, Leontini, Naxos, and Zankle. Gelon took up this already successful tyranny for himself after the death of Hippokrates and developed it, expanding the territory under his control. Kleander introduced the tyranny that the Deinomenids would later claim, while Hippokrates expanded this tyranny′s sphere of influence and was a model of bold ambition which Gelon and his brothers would later follow.

The slow quadriga had already been introduced as the standard obverse type for Syracusan tetradrachms by the end of the sixth or the beginning of the fifth century BC, but the head of Arethusa only evolved into a full reverse type in the early fifth century BC. Previously, if she was depicted at all, she appeared within a small circular punch in the center of a main incuse square reverse punch. However, once she had developed into a full type, she made a truly dramatic appearance, as can be seen from this attractive piece. The reverse features a large head of Arethusa so perfect in its Archaic style that it seems to have been engraved from an observation of a contemporary Kore statue. The head has been lovingly engraved and a distinctive almond-shaped facing eye that still retains its pupil. This coin marks the superlative beginning to the long tradition of depicting Arethusa on the reverse of Syracusan tetradrachms.

cf. BMC 25 ; SNG.Copenhagen 622var. ; cf. Sear 913 ;
SNG.ANS.42 ; cf. SNG. München 943 ; HGC 2, 1306 ;
Boehringer 149 (V66/R103) ; Randazzo 316
A pleasant portrait of late Archaic style.
vf

weight 16,84gr. ; silver Ø 26mm.

obv. Head of the water nymph Arethusa right, hair bound with
diadem-shaped band in a krobylos, wearing necklace, surrounded
by the legend; ΣY - PA - K - OΣI - O И , the whole surrounded
by four clockwise swimming dolphins
rev. Slow quadriga driven right by charioteer, holding kentron and reins;
above, Nike flying right to crown horses, within round border of dots.

The term ″Deinomenid″ derives from the name of Deinomenes, the father of Gelon, Hieron, Polyzalos, and Thrasyboulos. The patriarch of the Deinomenid family, however, is not responsible for the foundation of the Deinomenid tyranny. In the 6th century BC, Kleander, a member of the aristocratic class of Gela caused the downfall of the city′s oligarchy. He established the tyranny that was later handed down to his brother Hippokrates, whose ″vigorous and ruthless activities made him within seven years master of all eastern Sicily.″ Hippokrates was responsible for bringing various cities under his rule, such as Kallipolis, Leontini, Naxos, and Zankle. Gelon took up this already successful tyranny for himself after the death of Hippokrates and developed it, expanding the territory under his control. Kleander introduced the tyranny that the Deinomenids would later claim, while Hippokrates expanded this tyranny′s sphere of influence and was a model of bold ambition which Gelon and his brothers would later follow.

Circa 478 BC Hieron I became tyrant of Syracuse after the death of his brother Gelon. He led Syracuse to a significant naval victory against the Etruscans at Cumae in 474 BC, which helped to secure Greek control in the region. Hieron engaged in colonization efforts, including establishing the city of Aetna (formerly Catana) and resettling inhabitants from Naxos and Catana. Hieron was a patron of the arts, supporting poets like Pindar and Bacchylides, and hosting theatrical performances. Despite his achievements, Hieron was also known for his ruthlessness, particularly in relocating populations to consolidate his power. Hieron died in Catana in 467/466 BC.

The slow quadriga had already been introduced as the standard reverse type for Syracusan tetradrachms by the end of the sixth or the beginning of the fifth century BC, but the head of Arethusa only evolved into a full reverse type in the early fifth century BC. Previously, if she was depicted at all, she appeared within a small circular punch in the center of a main incuse square reverse punch. However, once she had developed into a full type, she made a truly dramatic appearance with with a great variety of style and hairstyle, as can be seen from this attractive piece.

cf. BMC 37 ; Boehringer 324var. ; SNG.Copenhagen 628var. ;
SNG.ANS.104var. ; SNG. München 970 (same dies) ; cf. Sear 914 ;
cf. Pozzi 1208 ; HGC 2, 1307 R
Very attractive specimen, well-centered and struck on a broad flan.
A rare and desirable piece. Rare.
vf/xf

weight 17,01gr. ; silver Ø 23mm.

obv. Slow quadriga driven right by male charioteer,
Nikè flying right with wreath above, crowning the horses
rev. Head of Arethusa facing right, wearing pearl diadem of beads
and necklace of beads, around her head he legend ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ
and four dolphins swimming clockwise around

From circa 485-466 BC Syracuse was ruled by tyrants starting with Gelon. Gelon took the bold step to move his capital from Gela to the less significant Syracuse, thereby producing the most powerful epicenter of the Sicilian Greek city states. The motif of a charioteer on the obverse and a beautiful Arethusa on the reverse became the signature theme of the series.

On this early tetradrachm the charioteer is guiding a slow walking quadriga. Eventually the quadriga would become an unwieldy group of horses with their heads turned in different directions. The head of Arethusa is archaic and stiff looking. She transforms into a classically beautiful representation of the goddess Arethusa. The coinage of Syracuse maintained this imagery for over 100 years and was adopted by several Greek city states.

Boehringer group VIIIb, 144 (O64/R99) ; Ward 248 ;
SNG ANS 40 ; McClean 2598 ; HGC- R
(cf. Peus Nachf. Auktion 428, lot 64 in vf/xf; € 5.500 + 20%)
Attractive toning. Rare.
vf-

weight 17,07gr. ; silver Ø 23mm.

obv. Head of Arethusa to right, wearing earring, necklace and headband,
her hair tied in a krobylos; ΣYRAKOΣION and four dolphins around
rev. Slow quadriga driven right by male charioteer, 
Nikè flying to right with wreath above heads of horses, Ketos in exergue

Syracuse′s ″Second Democracy″ refers to the period from 466 to 405 BC. The death of Hieron I and the subsequent expulsion of Thrasybulus marked the end of Syracuse′s first period of tyranny. Syracuse established a republican government, with an assembly and council (boule) playing key roles. The chief executives during this period were annual strategoi (generals), whose numbers varied. While generally referred to as a democracy, scholars debate whether it was truly comparable to the Athenian democracy. Some argue it was more of an aristocracy with some democratic elements, while others maintain it was a democracy in the same vein as Athens. Unlike the earlier period, Syracuse did not maintain its empire during this Second Democracy.

cf. BMC 89 ; Boehringer 541 ; cf. SNG.Copenhagen 657 ;
cf. McClean 2660 ; SNG.ANS.178 ; cf. Pozzi 1240 ;
SNG.München 1029 ; HGC 2, 1311 ; cf. Sear 924
Struck with some weaknesses, nevertheless attractive
coin of good style and with fine details. Rare.
vf

weight 42,09gr. ; silver  34mm.
The signed dies are made by the artist Euainetos.

obv. Charioteer, in flowing chiton and holding goad and reins,
driving racing quadriga left; above, Nike flying right, about to crown
charioteer with wreath; in exergue, panoply of arms: cuirass between
two greaves, with Phrygian helmet to right, ΑΘΛΑ below (off-flan)
rev. Head of Arethusa left, wearing wreath of reeds, triple-pendant
earring and necklace; ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ above, Δ below chin. Around,
three dolphins swimming, while a fourth makes dorsal contact with
neck truncation; below, EYAINE (off-flan).

Rare variety with Δ on the reverse, which might refer to the value “Deka” of the coin.
Only two reverse dies with the delta symbol were produced, which explain the rarity of this coin.

One of the largest silver denominations minted in classical antiquity, the decadrachm of Syracuse remains one of the most alluring and celebrated coins in history. The immense size of this 10 drachm denomination offered the engravers of Syracuse the scope to fully display their mastery of the medium. After a brief “trial run” in the 460s BC, the decadrachm in was reintroduced in Syracuse by the tyrant Dionysios following his assumption to power in 405 BC, testament to his grandiose vision to make Syracuse the foremost city in the Greek world. Two of the greatest local numismatic artists, Kimon and Euainetos, produced dies for the new series, each bringing their own distinctive style to the already iconic emblems of Syracuse: A racing four-horse chariot (quadriga) backed with a head of the beautiful Arethusa, nymph of the spring of Ortygia, surrounded by frolicking dolphins. Both engravers took great pride in their designs and signed their dies, much in the manner of a modern artist; both decadrachm types also include dies that have symbols instead of a signature, perhaps indicating they were engraved by apprentices working under the masters, closely imitating their work.

Ironically, the decadrachms of Syracuse were probably struck for the rather mundane purpose of paying mercenaries. The obverse legend ΑΘΛΑ, which means price or reward, refers to that. Most of the issues likely had a very short circulation life and were subsequently melted, accounting for their relative rarity today (this in addition to their status as high denomination coins, a factor that usually generates rarity by itself). Nonetheless, the obverse and reverse types were well known throughout the ancient world and would prove to be enormously influential on subsequent coinage, even centuries later.  The portrait, in particular, was adopted by die engravers throughout the Greek world. One example is this silver stater of circa 370-360 BC from Larissa, a city of Thessaly in mainland Greece, which portrays the nymph Larissa based upon the composition of Euainetos. Today, the decadrachms of Syracuse are highly prized by collectors for their artistic beauty, historical importance, and rarity. They serve as physical reminders of the enormous talents of ancient Greek artists, the technical expertise of the minters, and the cultural achievement that it represents.

In the past the portrait on the reverse was described as that of Kore-Persephone. Nowadays we know that it must be the portrait of Arethusa. She has no wreath of corn-ears, but a wreath of reeds. In the historical centre of Syracuse, on the small island of Ortygia, there was (and is) a fresh water source. According to Greek mythology, the fresh water fountain is the place where the nymph Arethusa, the patron figure of ancient Syracuse, returned to earth′s surface after escaping from her undersea home in Arcadia. This fountain of Arthusa was in ancient times very important for the city, for the providence of drinking water. Reason enough to demonstrate her portrait on coins.

Normally the obverse is minted softly, often due to worn dies, although the thick planchet may also be a factor. But not in this case. The obverse and reverse are struck very well, showing sharp details on both sides. The coin shows some minor die rust on the reverse, but is of exceptional style. The attractive toning perfectly complements the masterful engraving of this glorious work of Greek art. A rare and impressive piece, especially in this state of preservation. A real beauty.

cf. NAC/ Tradart auction, JDL collection, 18 Nov. 2013, lot 281 (in xf; CHF 400.000 + 18%).

SNG.Copenhagen 691 ; Pozzi 614 (same dies) ; SNG Fitzwilliam 1277 ;
SNG.ANS.371 ; Gallatin O. XI-R.D. I. ; Dewing 902 ; Rizzo pl.24,4 (same dies) ;
Ward, Greek Coins and their Parent Cities 294 ; SNG.München 1079 ;
cf. HGC 2, no.1299 ; cf. Sear 953 R
xf

weight 4,29gr. ; gold Ø 16mm.

obv. Laureate head of Apollo left, Σ below truncation
rev. Charioteer driving rearing biga right, holding reins in left hand,
goad in right hand, triskeles and Φ below,
surrounded by the legend; ΣYPAKOΣIΩN

This coin type imitates the gold stater of the Macedonian King Philippos II.
Variety with Σ on the obverse and Φ on the reverse. This die combination is
lacking in most of the important literature references. Extremely rare.

BMC- (cf. 337) ; cf. SNG.Copenhagen 747 ; cf. SNG.ANS.550 ; HGC 1276 ;
cf. Sear 967 ; SNG.München - (cf. 1189-1191) ; Jameson - (cf. 859) ;
McClean - (cf. 2813-2814)   RRRR
Masterpiece of fine classical style with excellent details. Nearly as struck.
unc-

weight 13,50 ; silver Ø 28mm.

obv. Diademed and veiled bust of Philistis to left,
star of eight rays bebind head
rev. Nikè driving quadriga moving slowly to right,
star of eight rays and ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΑΣ above, K in front,
ΦΙΛΙΣΤΙΔΟΣ in exergue

After a long and distinguished reign marked by moderation and stability, Hieron II was sufficiently assiduous to avoid any imperial aspirations in favour of loyalty to Rome, the prosperity of his people and family. In 218-216, while the Second Punic War was raging in Italy, he provided a powerful counterweight to any Carthaginian ambitions. He not only cooperated at sea with the Republic, but sent a contingent of 1500 troops and money in the form of a newly reformed currency in silver and gold, based on multiples of the traditional Sicilian silver unit of about 0.86 gm, the litra. The most numerous issue of this new coinage was that in the name of his queen, Philistis, with her head shown wearing the royal diadem below a veil that inevitably recalls the portrait of Arsinoë II at Alexandria. Nikè as the charioteer of the reverse biga is obviously auspicious of final victory.

BMC 555 ; SNG.Copenhagen 825 ; SNG.ANS.880 ; McClean 2912var. ; 
SNG.Tübingen 696 ; Burnett, Enna hoard in SNR 62 (1983). 34var. ;
SNG.München 1355 ; HGC 2, 1556
Coin of great beauty and style with excellent fine details
and a wonderful toning. Rare.
xf