SICILY. Syracuse. Hieron II, 275-215 BC. 60 Litrai or Dekadrachm (Gold, 16 mm, 4.25 g, 2 h), circa 218/7-215. Head of Persephone to left, wearing wreath of grain ears, pendant earring and pearl necklace, and with her hair flowing loose; behind, hippocamp upward. Rev. IEPΩΝΟΣ Nike driving biga galloping to left, holding kentron in her right hand and reins in her left; below the horses, AΠ. Basel 529 (this coin). BMC 514 (same dies). Carroccio 41 (D11/R11). Gulbenkian 351 = Locker Lampson 108 (same dies). Light doubling on the reverse and with a minor scuff on the edge, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.


Hieron II was an illegitimate son of a Syracusan aristocrat who assumed power in his home city after Pyrrhos of Epirus withdrew from Sicily in 275 BC. As a skilled politician, he switched sides at the right time early in the 1st Punic War and allied himself with Rome - a clever move that safeguarded his kingship for the rest of his very long life. Hieron died in 215 BC at the age of more than ninety years, after half a century of alliance with Rome and one of the longest reigns of any ancient king.