| Heritage World Coin Auctions > NYINC Signature Sale 3114 | Auction date: 16 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 33023 Price realized: 1,600 USD (Approx. 1,470 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Ancients SICILY. Syracuse. Philistis, wife of Hieron II (275-215 BC). AR 16-litrai (26mm, 13.12 gm, 6h). NGC AU 3/5 - 2/5, edge chips, flan flaws. Ca. 240-215/4 BC. Veiled and diademed head of Queen Philistis left / ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΑΣ / ΦΙΛΙΣΤΙΔΟΣ, Nike driving slow quadriga right; crescent right above, A in right field. HGC 2, 1556. SNG ANS 876. Stormy surfaces with flashes of arctic luster bursting through the patina and subtle peaks of sapphire nestled in the recesses. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-sicily-syracuse-philistis-wife-of-hieron-ii-275-215-bc-ar-16-litrai-26mm-1312-gm-6h-ngc-au-3-5-/a/3114-33023.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3114-01162024 HID02906262019 © 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved |  |
Match 1:
| Heritage World Coin Auctions > CSNS Signature Sale 3115 | Auction date: 8 May 2024 |
| Lot number: 31008 Price realized: To Be Posted | |
| Lot description: Ancients SICILY. Syracuse. Philistis, wife of Hieron II (275-215 BC). AR 16-litrai (26mm, 14.04 gm, 5h). NGC Choice XF 5/5 - 2/5, edge chips, marks. Ca. 240-216 BC. Veiled and diademed head of Queen Philistis left; star behind / ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΑΣ / ΦΙΛΙΣΤΙΔΟΣ, Nike driving quadriga walking right, reins in both hands; palm branch right above, K in right field. Seemingly unlisted in standard references. SNG Copenhagen -, cf. 825 (star above). SNG ANS -, cf. 877-880 (same). HGC 2, 1554 var. (unlisted symbol). Extremely rare example with no other examples in sales archives. This lovely coin showcases a beautiful classical Greek portrait and a typically Syracusan theme on the reverse, set upon a cabinet-toned flan that boasts a subdued luster, creating an exquisite piece of numismatic art. From the Eardley and Ethel Madsen Collection. Philistis, known only though this coinage, is believed to be daughter of the influential Syracusan Leptines. She played a pivotal role in the political landscape of ancient Syracuse through her marriage to Hieron II. After Hieron, a former mercenary in Pyrrhos of Epirus' army, took control of Syracuse in 275 BC, he solidified his position by marrying Philistis, aligning himself with the city's elite. This union was further symbolized by the issuance of coinage in her name after Hieron was proclaimed king in 265 BC. These coins, influenced by Ptolemaic Egypt's artistic styles, depicted Philistis with a veiled head, reminiscent of Egyptian queens like Arsinoe II and Berenice II. This numismatic practice not only reflects the cultural intersections of the Hellenistic period but also underscores Philistis' elevated status in the realm of royal iconography, illustrating her significance in both Syracusan and broader Mediterranean politics. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-sicily-syracuse-philistis-wife-of-hieron-ii-275-215-bc-ar-16-litrai-26mm-1404-gm-5h-ngc-choice-x/a/3115-31008.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3115-05082024 HID02906262019 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved Estimate: 6000-8000 USD |  |
Match 2:
| Heritage World Coin Auctions > Showcase Auction 61375 | Auction date: 20 May 2024 |
| Lot number: 25026 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction - Bid on this lot  | |
| Lot description: Ancients SICILY. Syracuse. Philistis, wife of Hieron II (275-215 BC). AR 16-litrai (27mm, 13.39 gm, 5h). NGC Choice AU★ 5/5 - 5/5. Ca. 240-215/4 BC. Veiled and diademed head of Queen Philistis left; grain ear behind / ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΑΣ / ΦΙΛΙΣΤΙΔΟΣ, Nike driving fast quadriga right, KI above, grain ear right below. SNG ANS -. HGC 2, 1554. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-sicily-syracuse-philistis-wife-of-hieron-ii-275-215-bc-ar-16-litrai-27mm-1339-gm-5h-ngc-choice-a/a/61375-25026.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-61375-05202024 HID02906262019 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved |  |
Match 3:
| Leu Numismatik AG > Web Auction 29 | Auction date: 24 February 2024 |
| Lot number: 94 Price realized: 3,900 CHF (Approx. 4,427 USD / 4,091 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: SICILY. Syracuse. Philistis, wife of Hieron II, 275-215 BC. 16 Litrai or Tetradrachm (Silver, 26 mm, 13.55 g, 3 h), circa 240-218/5. Diademed and veiled bust of Philistis to left; behind, wreath. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΑΣ - ΦΙΛΙΣΤΙΔΟΣ Nike driving slow quadriga to right, holding reins in both hands; above, Φ. Burnett, Enna, 25 (same dies). CCO 171 (D13/R23). SNG Lloyd 1544 (same dies). Lightly toned and with an elegant portrait. Minor flan faults on the obverse, otherwise, about extremely fine. Ex Hess-Divo 332, 31 May 2017, 18 and 51 Gallery, 9 December 2013, 68 and previously privately acquired from Anne Demeester. 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. Starting price: 1000 CHF |  |
Match 4:
| Leu Numismatik AG > Web Auction 28 | Auction date: 9 December 2023 |
| Lot number: 671 Price realized: 2,400 CHF (Approx. 2,728 USD / 2,534 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: SICILY. Syracuse. Philistis, wife of Hieron II, 275-215 BC. 16 Litrai or Tetradrachm (Silver, 25 mm, 13.53 g, 11 h), circa 240-218/5. Diademed and veiled bust of Philistis to left; behind, star. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΑΣ - ΦΙΛΙΣΤΙΔΟΣ Nike driving slow quadriga to right, holding reins in both hands; above, star; to right, K. Burnett, Enna, 35 (same dies). CCO 111 (D8/R21). HGC 2, 1556. Nicely toned and with a fine portrait. Very light porosity, otherwise, good very fine. From the collection of the renowned Swiss architect Max Vogt (1925-2019), ex Schweizerische Kreditanstalt Monetarium FPL 63, spring 1995, 51. 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. Starting price: 750 CHF |  |
Match 5:
| Leu Numismatik AG > Web Auction 28 | Auction date: 9 December 2023 |
| Lot number: 672 Price realized: 1,313 CHF (Approx. 1,493 USD / 1,386 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: SICILY. Syracuse. Philistis, wife of Hieron II, 275-215 BC. 16 Litrai or Tetradrachm (Silver, 25 mm, 13.64 g, 7 h), circa 240-218/5. Diademed and veiled bust of Philistis to left. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΑΣ - ΦΙΛΙΣΤΙΔΟΣ Nike driving slow quadriga to right, holding reins in both hands; above, ΑΦ. Burnett, Enna, -. CCO - (D20/-). HGC 2, 1556. New York Sale XXXIV (2015), 42 (same dies). Numismatica Genevensis 6 (2010), 35 (same dies). Lightly toned. Minor marks and with light doubling on the reverse, otherwise, good very fine. From the T. Frisbie Collection, ex Dmitry Markov 10, 23 October 2001, 28. 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. Starting price: 500 CHF |  |
