| Heritage World Coin Auctions > CSNS Signature Sale 3115 | Auction date: 8 May 2024 |
| Lot number: 32012 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction - Bid on this lot  | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Ancients SICILY. Syracuse. Agathocles (317-289 BC), as Tyrant. AV decadrachm (15mm, 4.29 gm, 4h). NGC AU 4/5 - 4/5, flan flaw. Ca. 317-310 BC. Laureate head of Apollo left; Σ below truncation / ΣYP-A-K-OΣIΩN, charioteer driving biga galloping right, kentron in right hand, reins in left, triskeles clockwise and Φ below. SNG Copenhagen 747 (same dies). This splendid piece is accentuated by a subtle yet vibrant fiery orange toning, adding a radiant warmth to it. Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 121 (6 October 2022), lot 137; Gemini, Auction XIII (6 April 2017), lot 20; Gorny & Mosch, Auction 240 (10 October 2016), lot 42; Ernste Collection, Düsseldorf (1970s). This beautiful gold decadrachm falls into the first series of coins struck under Agathocles, who ruled Syracuse as a military strongman or "tyrant" and later styled himself "King of Sicily." In many ways he was a western counterpart to the Hellenistic rulers who carved up Alexander the Great's vast empire to the east. The son of a simple potter, he joined the army and rose through the ranks to become a strategos, or general. Ambitious, audacious and unscrupulous, he was banished for attempting to overthrow the democratic government of Syracuse, but returned in 317 BC leading an army of mercenaries, seized the city, and banished or murdered all of his opponents. War with Carthage followed; with Syracuse under siege, he staged a daring attack on the African hinterlands of Carthage that turned the tide of war in his favor. Though ultimately defeated in Africa, Agathocles returned to Sicily strengthened and was able to conclude a treaty with Carthage on favorable terms. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-sicily-syracuse-agathocles-317-289-bc-as-tyrant-av-decadrachm-15mm-429-gm-4h-ngc-au-4-5-4-5-f/a/3115-32012.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3115-05082024 HID02906262019 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved |  |
