SICILY. Syracuse. Agathokles, 317-289 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 26 mm, 16.94 g, 12 h), circa 317-310. Head of Arethousa to left, wearing wreath of grain leaves, triple pendant earring and pearl necklace; around, three dolphins; below neck, NI.
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. Ierardi 33 (O6/R17). SNG ANS 638 (
same dies). SNG Fitzwilliam 1331 (
same dies). A very attractive coin, very well struck and beautifully toned. A few minor edge splits and thin flan cracks
, otherwise, good extremely fine.
Ex Roma XV, 5 April 2018, 69 and previously from the P.G. Collection, Germany, outside of Italy since before December 1992.
This tetradrachm was struck in the early years of Agathokles' lengthy reign, before he assumed the kingship. The types are those of the famous dekadrachms of Euainetos, albeit with the obverse and reverse reversed, and the legend still uses the plain ethnic without any reference to the tyrant.
