SICILY. Syracuse. Philistis, wife of Hieron II, 275-215 BC. 16 Litrai or Tetradrachm (Silver, 27 mm, 13.65 g, 5 h), circa 240-218/5. Diademed and veiled bust of Philistis to left; behind, wreath. Rev. [Β]ΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΑ[Σ] - ΦΙΛΙΣΤΙΔΟΣ Nike driving slow quadriga to right, holding reins in both hands; above, Φ. Burnett, Enna, -. CCO 166 (D10/R21). HGC 2, 1556. Attractive iridescent toning and with a wonderful portrait. Minor flan fault on the obverse and small die breaks on the reverse, otherwise, 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.