| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Online Auction 198 | Silver | Auction date: 25 February 2024 |
| Lot number: 10 Price realized: 4,200 EUR (Approx. 4,541 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Sicily. Syracuse. Agathokles 317-289 BC. Pre-royal coinage, ca. 310-305 BC Tetradrachm AR 26 mm, 17,16 g Head of Persephone left, wreathed with grain ears, wearing triple-pendant earring and beaded necklace; three dolphins around, NI below neck truncation / ΣYPAKOΣIΩN, charioteer driving racing quadriga left, reins in left hand, kentron in right; triskeles counterclockwise above, AN monogram in exergue. Stunning Style, attractively toned, Good Extremely Fine SNG ANS 632-635. SNG Copenhagen 753-754 var. (NK on obverse). Agathocles (361-289 BC) was a tyrant of Syracuse from 317 to 289 BC who became renowned for his military campaigns and his rule over Sicily. Among his notable contributions to the culture and economy of the region were his tetradrachms, a type of silver coinage that played a significant role in the Hellenistic world's commerce. The tetradrachms minted during Agathocles' reign are particularly famous for their artistic designs. On the obverse, they featured the image of Persephone, the goddess of the underworld and fertility, symbolizing the prosperity and fertility of Sicily. This depiction often includes Persephone wearing a wreath of grain, emphasizing the agricultural richness of the region. On the reverse, these coins displayed a quadriga, a four-horse chariot, which was a common symbol of victory and power in Greek and Sicilian coinage. This imagery likely reflected Agathocles' military ambitions and successes, as well as his efforts to portray himself as a victorious and legitimate ruler. Agathocles' tetradrachms are not only important artifacts of ancient numismatics but also serve as a reflection of the political, economic, and cultural landscapes of Hellenistic Sicily, showcasing the blend of military prowess and agricultural wealth that characterized his reign Starting price: 3500 EUR |  |
