SICILY. Syracuse. Agathokles, 317-289 BC. 50 Litrai or Dekadrachm (Gold, 16 mm, 4.29 g, 6 h), circa 317-310. Laureate head of Apollo to left; below, Σ (retrograde). Rev. ΣYP-AK-OΣIΩN Charioteer driving fast biga to right, holding reins in his left hand and kentron in his right; below, triskeles running left. Bérend, Agathocle, pl. 9, 1 var. (no Σ). Boston MFA 456. Dewing 934 var. (position of Σ). SNG ANS 550. SNG Copenhagen 745. An attractive example of lovely early Hellenistic style. Minor die rust on the obverse, otherwise, good extremely fine.



Born the son of a potter from Rhegion, Agathokles was a typical early Hellenistic condottiere. After an early career as a mercenary officer in southern Italy, he returned to Syracuse in 317, where his family had settled when he was eighteen, and seized power in a military coup. In the following years he expanded his power and waged a great war against Carthage, during which he landed in Africa while Syracuse was besieged by Hamilcar. Ultimately defeated, Agathokles returned to Sicily, where Hamilcar’s withdrawal led to a stalemate. A peace treaty was concluded between the two rival powers, greatly strengthening Agathokles’ position in Syracuse and leading him to assume the title of βασιλεύς (king) in 305/4, shortly after Alexander’s diadochi had likewise proclaimed themselves kings. Agathokles died in 289 at the age of seventy-one; yet, unlike his Macedonian counterparts, he failed to establish a lasting dynasty, and Syracuse descended into turmoil after his death.