SICILY. Syracuse. Philistis, wife of Hieron II, 275-215 BC. 16 Litrai or Tetradrachm (Silver, 27 mm, 13.53 g, 4 h), circa 240-218/5. Diademed and veiled bust of Philistis to left; behind, cup. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΑ[Σ] - ΦΙΛΙΣΤΙΔΟΣ Nike driving quadriga galloping to right, holding reins in both hands; below the horses, E. CCO 15 (D1/R1). De Luynes 1373 (same dies). A very rare variety struck from the first die pair in the series. Lightly toned and attractive, and with a particularly charming reverse. Nearly extremely fine.


Queen Philistis is known only from her coins, which were called Philistideia, and from an inscription in the theatre of Syracuse (IG XIV 3), where her name appears alongside that of Queen Nereis, who was a daughter of Pyrrhos of Epeiros and the wife of Gelon, the son of the King Hieron II (275-215 BC). Given this connection and the large output of coins in Philistis' name, it is very likely that she was Hieron's wife.