SICILY. Syracuse. Agathokles, 317-289 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 28 mm, 16.47 g, 9 h), circa 317-310. Head of Arethusa to left, wearing wreath of grain leaves, triple pendant earring and pearl necklace; around, three dolphins; below neck, ΦΙ.
Rev. ΣYPAKOΣIΩN Charioteer driving quadriga galloping to left, holding kentron in his right hand and reins in his left; above, triskeles running left; in exergue, monogram of AI. Basel 510 (
this coin). Ierardi 54a (
this coin, O10/R32). Nanteuil 379 (
this coin). Pozzi 642. SNG ANS 642. Lightly toned and with a splendid pedigree. A few minor flan faults
, otherwise, about extremely fine.
From the Kleinkunst Collection and from the collection of A. D. Moretti, Numismatica Ars Classica 13, 8 October 1998, 510, ex Münzhandlung Basel 10, 15 March 1938, 138, and from the collections of H. de Nanteuil de la Norville (1876-1941) and P. Mathey (1844-1929).
This tetradrachm was struck in the early years of Agathokles' long reign, before he assumed the kingship. The types are those of the famous dekadrachms of Euainetos, although with the obverse and reverse inverted, and the legend still names the plain ethnic without any reference to the tyrant.
