Triton XXVII - Session 1
Date: 2024-01-09 00:00:00
Lots: 336
Total starting: $ 0.00
Total realized: $ 0.00 (+0.00%)
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Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVII - Session 1 . 64
SICILY, Syracuse. Second Democracy. 466-405 BC. AR Tetradrachm (25.5mm, 17.18 g, 9h). Struck circa 440-430 BC. Charioteer, holding kentron in right hand, reins in both, driving slow quadriga left; above, Nike flying left, crowning horses with open wreath held in both hands; in exergue, ketos left / Head of Arethousa right, hair in thin band, wearing hoop earring with pendant, and pearl necklace; ΣV-RA-KOΣION to right, four dolphins swimming around. Boehringer Series XVIIb, 596 (V294/R402); HGC 2, 1313; SNG ANS 194 (same dies); SNG Lockett 947 (same dies); Kraay & Hirmer 89 (same rev. die). Toned, light die rust on obverse. EF. Well centered. Rare and from one of the finest die pairs in the entire Syracusan series. From the Columbus Collection. Ex Triton I (2 December 1997), lot 321.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVII - Session 1 . 65
SICILY, Syracuse. Second Democracy. 466-405 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24.5mm, 17.10 g, 3h). Dies signed by Euth– and Phrygillos. Nike as charioteer, holding reins in both hands, driving fast quadriga right; above, Nike flying left, crowning charioteer with laurel wreath held in her extended right hand; in exergue, dolphin swimming right behind Skylla, holding trident, swimming right, EVΘ before / Head of Arethousa left, wearing wreath of grain ears, hook earring, and linear necklace with pearl-shaped pendant; [ΦPY]ΓIΛΛ/[OΣ] in two lines below, four dolphins and ΣV-PAK-OΣ-I-ON around. Fischer-Bossert, Coins 47t (V15/R29) = Tudeer 47.1 = BMC 157 = B. V. Head, "On the Chronological Sequence of the Coins of Syracuse" in NC 1874, pl. III, 14 (this coin); HGC 2, 1334; SNG ANS 274; SNG Ashmolean 1998 = SNG Lockett 969; SNG Lloyd 1382; Gillet 622; Gulbenkian 280; Hirsch 603; Jameson 801; de Luynes 1214–5; Regling, Antike 593; Weber 1603 (all from the same dies). Attractive old collection tone, minor mark in field on reverse. Good VF. From the Columbus Collection. Ex Leu 79 (31 October 2000), lot 424; Münzen und Medaillen AG XXXII (20 October 1966), lot 57.Phrygillos is one of most distinctive die-engravers of the Syracusan series. His head of Arethousa is crowned with a wreath of grain ears, leading one scholar (G. D. Wynn) to conclude it is Demeter who is depicted. His signature is also found on contemporary engraved gems, and he may also be responsible for coin dies produced for the cities of Thourioi and Terina on the Italian mainland, signed ΦΡΥ and Φ respectively.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVII - Session 1 . 66
SICILY, Syracuse. Second Democracy. 466-405 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 17.11 g, 12h). Obverse die signed by Phrygillos. Struck circa 415-409 BC. Head of Arethousa left, hair in ampyx, inscribed Φ[P]Y, and sphendone, wearing single-pendant earring; ΣVP[AKOΣION] above, four dolphins around / Charioteer, holding flaming torch in right hand and reins in left, driving fast quadriga left; above, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer with open wreath held in her extended hands; in exergue, grain ear left. Fischer-Bossert, Coins 53 (O18/R32); Tudeer 53; HGC 2, 1335; SNG ANS 278 (same dies); Basel 461 (same dies); Hirsch 607 (same dies). Lightly toned, thin flan crack, flan flaw on obverse. VF. Fine style.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVII - Session 1 . 67
SICILY, Syracuse. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. AR Dekadrachm (33mm, 42.82 g, 11h). Dies signed by Kimon. Struck circa 405-400 BC. Charioteer, holding kentron in extended right hand and reins in left, driving fast quadriga left; above, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer with wreath held in her extended hands; below heavy exergual line [inscribed KIMΩN], a shield, greaves, cuirass, and Attic helmet, all connected by a horizontal spear; [AΘΛA below] / Head of Arethousa left, wearing single-pendant earring and necklace, hair restrained in an open-weave sakkos and ampyx; ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ behind hair, four swimming dolphins around, the one below neck inscribed KIMΩN. Jongkees 5 (dies A/ε); Scavino 5 (D1/R5); Regling, Dekadrachmon 5; HGC 2, 1298; SNG Fitzwilliam 1272–3 (same dies); SNG Spencer-Churchill 56 = DDTP p. 15 (same dies); Gulbenkian 304 (same dies); Hunt III 27 (same obv. die); Jameson 1920 (same dies); Kraay & Hirmer 119 (same obv. die); Prosepero 176 (this coin). Beautiful old cabinet tone. In NGC encapsulation 6708769-001, graded Ch VF, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 3/5, Fine Style. A lovely example of this famed issue. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 133 (21 November 2022), lot 21; Prospero Collection (The New York Sale XXVII, 4 January 2012), lot 176; Pflieger Collection (Vinchon, 13 April 1985), lot 137.Dionysios assumed power in 405 BC and immediately set out to make Syracuse the greatest and most heavily fortified city in all Sicily. He was defending against the renewed imperialistic expansion of Carthage. Three times he defeated the Carthaginians, bringing further prestige and wealth to Syracuse. During his reign, the Syracusan navy became the most powerful in the Mediterranean, allowing Syracuse to expand her territorial control over much of southern Italy.Dionysios reintroduced the large and ostentatious silver dekadrachms, a denomination that had not been used in Syracuse since the issue of the Demareteion decades earlier. Dionysios entrusted two of the greatest local numismatic artists, Kimon and Euainetos, to design these impressive pieces. The regard for these coins in modern times is reflected by the fact that they are considered a must for any first rank collection of Greek coins.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVII - Session 1 . 68
SICILY, Syracuse. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. AR Dekadrachm (33mm, 42.51 g, 12h). Reverse die signed by Kimon. Struck circa 404-400 BC. Charioteer, holding kentron in extended right hand and reins in left, driving fast quadriga left; above, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer with wreath held in her extended hands; below heavy exergual line, a military harness, shield, greaves, cuirass, and Attic helmet, all connected by a horizontal spear; [AΘΛA below] / Head of Arethousa left, wearing single-pendant earring and necklace, hair restrained in an open-weave sakkos and ampyx, KI (Kimon's signature) on ampyx; ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙ-ΩΝ behind hair, four dolphins swimming around. Jongkees 6 (dies A/ζ); Scavino 6a (D1/R6) = M. Wallenbrock, Three Centuries of Silver, Art and the Coins of Syracuse (Kindle Direct Publishing, 2023), p. 102, fig. 4.4 (this coin); Regling, Dekadrachmon 6; HGC 2, 1298; SNG ANS 357 (same dies); SNG Lloyd 1410 (same rev. die); Dewing 870 (same dies); Boston MFA 433 = Warren 356 (same dies); Kraay & Hirmer 121 (same dies); Rizzo pl. L, 5 (same rev. die). Toned, usual obverse die rust. Good VF. The reverse finely centered and struck. A masterpiece of the die engraver's art. Ex Triton XVI (8 January 2013), lot 230; Classical Numismatic Group 82 (16 September 2009), lot 305; Gorny & Mosch 151 (9 October 2006), lot 90; Münzen und Medaillen AG 81 (18 September 1995), lot 39; Münzen und Medaillen AG XIII (17 June 1954), lot 1049.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVII - Session 1 . 69
SICILY, Syracuse. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. AR Dekadrachm (36mm, 41.38 g, 1h). Unsigned dies in the style of Kimon. Struck circa 404-400 BC. Charioteer, holding kentron in extended right hand and reins in left, driving fast quadriga left; above, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer with wreath held in her extended hands; below heavy exergual line, a military harness, shield, greaves, cuirass, and Attic helmet, all connected by a horizontal spear; AΘΛ[A] below / Head of Arethousa left, wearing single-pendant earring and necklace, hair restrained in an open-weave sakkos and ampyx, KI (Kimon's signature) on ampyx; ΣΥΡΑΚ-ΟΣΙΩ to right, four dolphins swimming around. Jongkees 12 (dies C/λ); Scavino 12 (D3/R11); Regling, Dekadrachmon 12; HGC 2, 1298; SNG ANS 360 (same dies); Bement 510 (same dies); de Luynes 1241 (same dies); Ward 292 (same dies). Deep old cabinet tone. In NGC encapsulation 6158788-001, graded Ch VF, Strike: 3/5, Surface: 2/5, Fine Style, double-struck. Ex Doyle (19 January 2022), lot 12.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVII - Session 1 . 70
SICILY, Syracuse. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. AR Dekadrachm (35mm, 43.48 g, 6h). Reverse die signed by Euainetos. Struck circa 405-390 BC. Charioteer, holding kentron in extended right hand and reins in left, driving fast quadriga left; above, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer with laurel wreath held in her extended hands; below heavy exergual line, [military harness], shield, greaves, cuirass, and crested Attic helmet, all connected by a horizontal spear; [AΘΛA below] / Head of Arethousa left, wearing wreath of grain ears, triple-pendant earring, and pearl necklace; [ΣΥ-ΡΑ-Κ-ΟΣ]-ΙΩΝ above, Δ below chin, four swimming dolphins around, and [EY-AIN]E along lower edge. Gallatin dies R.IX/D.II, 40 (this coin); Scavino 33 (D9/R18a); HGC 2, 1299; SNG Lloyd 1413 (same dies); Dewing 898–900 (same dies); Basel 481 (same dies); BMC 173 (same dies); Boston MFA 425 (same dies); Hunterian 53 (same dies); Rizzo pl. LIV, 5 and pl. LVI, 5 (same dies). Lightly toned, die rust on obverse as usual, slight die wear on reverse. Good VF. From the Wayne Scheible Collection. Ex Harlan J. Berk inventory cc65187 (ND; their ticket included); S. Mavrojani Collection (Sotheby's, 9 March 1936), lot 105; Ars Classica & Naville XII (18 October 1926), lot 951; J. P. Lambros Collection (Hirsch XXIX, 9 November 1910), lot 121.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVII - Session 1 . 71
SICILY, Syracuse. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. AR Dekadrachm (34mm, 43.16 g, 9h). Unsigned dies in the style of Euainetos. Struck circa 405-380/67 BC. Charioteer, holding kentron in extended right hand and reins in left, driving fast quadriga left; above, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer with wreath held in her extended hands; below heavy exergual line, [military harness], shield, greaves, cuirass, and crested Attic helmet, all connected by a horizontal spear; [AΘΛA below] / Head of Arethousa left, wearing wreath of grain ears, triple-pendant earring, and pearl necklace; [ΣΥ-ΡΑ]-Κ-Ο-ΣΙΩΝ above, scallop shell behind neck, four dolphins swimming around. Gallatin dies R.XI/E.I; Scavino 38 (D11/R21); HGC 2, 1299; SNG ANS 372 (same dies); Boston MFA 426 = Warren 359 (same dies); Consul Weber 686 (same dies); Hunterian 55 (same dies); Jameson 829 (same dies). Toned, a little die rust as usual. Good VF. Ex Kovacs XV (1 October 2003), lot 30; Russel Bement, Jr. Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 51, 15 September 1999), lot 152.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVII - Session 1 . 72
SICILY, Syracuse. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. AR Dekadrachm (32mm, 41.92 g, 4h). Unsigned dies in the style of Euainetos. Struck circa 405-380/67 BC. Charioteer, holding kentron in extended right hand and reins in left, driving fast quadriga left; above, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer with wreath held in her extended hands; below heavy exergual line, [military harness, shield], greaves, cuirass, and crested Attic helmet, all connected by a [horizontal spear]; [AΘΛA below] / Head of Arethousa left, wearing wreath of grain ears, triple-pendant earring, and pearl necklace; ΣΥ-ΡΑ-ΚΟ-[Σ-ΙΩΝ] above, pellet below chin, four dolphins swimming around. Gallatin dies R.XXI/J.II; Scavino 59 (D18/R31); HGC 2, 1299; SNG ANS 375 (same dies); BMC 179 (same dies). In NGC encapsulation 6158788-002, graded Ch VF, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 2/5, Fine Style. Ex Doyle (19 January 2022), lot 13; reportedly purchased by the consignor from George M. Beach, 1990.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVII - Session 1 . 73
SICILY, Syracuse. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24.5mm, 17.36 g, 12h). Unsigned dies in the style of Eukleidas. Struck circa 405-400 BC. Charioteer, holding kentron in right hand and reins in both, driving fast quadriga left; above, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer with wreath held in both hands; in exergue, grain ear left / Large head of Arethousa right, hair in ampyx and sphendone decorated with stars, wearing double hoop earring and necklace with six pendants; [ΣYP]-A-KO[Σ]-IΩ-N and four dolphins around. Fischer-Bossert, Coins 63b (O22/R41) = Tudeer 63h = Jameson 839 (this coin); HGC 2, 1339; SNG Lloyd 1386 (same dies); BMC 221 (same dies); Boston MFA 414 = Warren 382 (same dies); Gillet 632 and 634 (same dies); Gulbenkian 285 (same dies); Pozzi 621 (same dies); Rizzo pl. XLVII, 10 (same dies). Attractively toned, traces of overstriking on obverse, diagnostic die break on reverse. Near EF. From the Hydrologist Collection. Ex Triton II (1 December 1998), lot 252; Robert Jameson Collection (publ. 1913); Prince Chachowsky Collection (Egger [20], 7 January 1908), lot 108; Albéric Paul Edouard, comte du Chastel de la Howardries Collection (Rollin & Feuardent, 27 May 1889), lot 79.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVII - Session 1 . 74
SICILY, Syracuse. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. AV 100 Litrai – Double Dekadrachm (14.5mm, 5.77 g, 6h). Obverse die signed by Euainetos. Struck circa 400-370 BC. Head of Arethousa left, hair in sakkos adorned with stars, wearing triple-pendant earring and pearl necklace; [Σ]YPAKOΣION to left, EYAI to right / Herakles kneeling right, strangling the Nemean Lion; rocks below. Bérend Group II, 8.2 (D5/R5 – this coin); HGC 2, 1275; SNG ANS 322–3 (same rev. die); Gulbenkian 322 (same dies); Kraay & Hirmer 128 = Rizzo pl. LIV, 12 = De Ciccio 20 (same dies); de Luynes 1236 (same rev. die). Trace deposits. Choice EF. Full signature visible. From the Hydrologist Collection. Ex Johns Hopkins University Collection [inv. 44.5.143] (Part II, Bank Leu & Numismatic Fine Arts, 16 October 1984), lot 526 (pedigree to Bement is erroneous); John Work Garrett Collection [inv. G 104]; Naville X (15 June 1925), lot 290; Naville IV (17 June 1922), lot 351; 1914 Mammanelli Hoard (IGCH 2122).The remarkable gold issues of Dionysios I, some of them signed by the same elite die engravers who were producing the immense silver dekadrachms, are considered among the most artistic gold pieces ever struck. The distinctive and expressive style of Euainetos is quite evident in his depiction of the nymph Arethousa, her hair enclosed in a sakkos ornamented with stars. The reverse depiction of Herakles wrestling the Nemean Lion is a marvel of compact tension and latent energy. Since Syracuse was engaged in a similar struggle with Carthage for control of Sicily, the imagery presents Dionysios as the new Syracusan Herakles saving Greek cities from the Carthaginian lion.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVII - Session 1 . 75
SICILY, Syracuse. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. AV 100 Litrai – Double Dekadrachm (13.5mm, 5.78 g, 3h). Struck circa 400-370 BC. Head of Arethousa left, hair in sakkos adorned with a star, wearing single-pendant earring and necklace; ΣYPAKOΣION to left, pellet flanking neck / Herakles kneeling right, strangling the Nemean Lion; rocks below. Bérend Group III, 15.10 (D11/R8 – this coin); HGC 2, 1275; SNG ANS 329 (same dies); SNG Lloyd 1421 (same obv. die); SNG Lockett 985 (same dies); Hunt IV 115 (same obv. die); Jameson 814 (same obv. die); Pozzi 605 (same dies). In NGC encapsulation 6158586-002, graded AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5, Fine Style. Ex Heritage 3048 (11 August 2016), lot 32011; Dr. Lawrence A. Adams Collection (Part III, Triton XIX, 6 January 2006), lot 2018; Triton VI (14 January 2003), lot 110; Spink 32 (30 November 1983), lot 11; Ars Classica XV (2 July 1930), lot 375.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVII - Session 1 . 76
SICILY, Syracuse. Dionysios I. 405-367 BC. AV 100 Litrai – Double Dekadrachm (14mm, 5.78 g, 1h). Struck circa 400-370 BC. Head of Arethousa left, hair in sakkos adorned with stars, wearing single-pendant earring and pearl necklace; ΣYP[AKOΣION] to left, star behind neck / Herakles kneeling right, strangling the Nemean Lion; rocks below. Bérend Group V, 41 (D24/R20); HGC 2, 1275; SNG ANS 338 (same obv. die); SNG Spencer-Churchill 54 (same dies); Du Chastel 121 (same dies); Kunstfreund 128 (same dies). Minor flan flaws and trace deposits on obverse, minor double strike and die break on reverse. Near EF. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 134 (21 November 2022), lot 197; Auction World 28 (16 April 2022), lot 2006.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVII - Session 1 . 77
SICILY, Syracuse. Timoleon and the Third Democracy. 344-317 BC. AR Hemidrachm (12mm, 1.29 g, 1h). Corinthian standard. Struck 344-339/8 BC. Head of Arethousa left, wearing single-pendant earring and necklace; ΣYP-AKO-[Σ]IΩN and three dolphins around / Forepart of Pegasos left; star above. HGC 2, 1405; SNG Copenhagen 713 (same dies); SNG Lloyd 1448 (same dies); Jameson 856 (this coin); Weber 1647 (same dies). Deep old iridescent tone, light porosity, scrape on reverse. Good VF. Ex Lawrence M. Cutler Collection (Numismatic Fine Arts [XXIV], 18 October 1990), lot 106; Numismatic Fine Arts Winter MBS (15 January 1982), lot 93; Robert Jameson Collection (publ. 1913); Sir Arthur J. Evans Collection.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVII - Session 1 . 78
SICILY, Syracuse. Timoleon and the Third Democracy. 344-317 BC. AR Hemidrachm (15mm, 1.99 g, 3h). Attic standard. Head of Athena facing slightly left, wearing triple-crested Attic helmet and pearl necklace; two dolphins to left, ΣYPAK-O-ΣI around / Female, holding rein in right hand, riding right on horse; star and grain ear to left, N below. HGC 2, 1370; SNG ANS 522; SNG Lloyd 1450; SNG München 1125; Pozzi 636 = Pozzi (Boutin) 1301. Some doubling on obverse. EF. Ex Roma XV (5 April 2018), lot 65.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVII - Session 1 . 79
SICILY, Syracuse. Timoleon and the Third Democracy. 344-317 BC. Æ Hemilitron (20.5mm, 7.72 g). Laureate head of Zeus Eleutherios left; vertical thunderbolt to right, [ZEYΣ] EΛEY[ΘEPIOΣ] around / Swastika; [ΣYPAKOΣ]I[ΩN] around. CNS 83/3 = SNG Spencer-Churchill 63 = Virzi 1560 (this coin); HGC 2, 1458; SNG ANS 542; SNG Evelpidis 612–3; SNG Morcom 719. Rough dark green-brown patina. Good Fine. Extremely rare. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 64 (17 May 2012), lot 734; Numismatica Ars Classica K (30 March 2000), lot 1204; Thomas Virzi Collection; Capt. C. E. Spencer-Churchill Collection (Ars Classica XVI, 3 July 1933), lot 824 (his SNG published in 1931).
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVII - Session 1 . 80
SICILY, Syracuse. Agathokles. 317-289 BC. AR Tetradrachm (26.5mm, 17.26 g, 7h). Struck circa 317-310 BC. Head of Arethousa left, wearing wreath of grain ears, triple-pendant earring, and pearl necklace; three dolphins around, NI below neck / Charioteer, holding kentron in right hand, reins in left, driving fast quadriga left; counterclockwise triskeles above, ΣYPAKOΣIΩN and A in exergue. Ierardi 29 (O4/R15); BAR Issue 2; HGC 2, 1348; Morgan 150 (same dies); Ars Classica XVI, lot 840 (same dies). Toned, with golden iridescence around the devices, a little die rust on obverse, slight die shift on reverse. Good VF. From the Wayne Scheible Collection. Ex CNG inventory 502 (c. 1992).
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVII - Session 1 . 81
SICILY, Syracuse. Agathokles. 317-289 BC. AR Tetradrachm (23mm, 16.91 g, 4h). Struck circa 310-306/5 BC. Head of Kore right, wearing wreath of grain ears, single-pendant earring, and pearl necklace; [KOPAΣ to left] / Nike, wearing long chiton, standing trophy to right; monogram to lower left, triskeles to outer right, [AΓA]ΘOKΛEO[Σ] in exergue. Ierardi 103 (O21/R64); BAR Issue 23; HGC 2, 1536; Boston MFA 463 = Warren 406 (same dies). Lightly toned. In NGC encapsulation 4281288-015, graded AU, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 5/5, Fine Style. Wings approved. Ex Mercury Group Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 118, 13 September 2021), lot 89; Ponterio 124 (17 January 2003), lot 363.The Kore tetradrachms of Agathokles were struck following a major victory over Carthaginian forces outside the gates of Syracuse in 310 BC, which prompted him to name himself King of Sicily and adopt the style and trappings of a Hellenistic ruler. The reverse, depicting Nike erecting a trophy, proved highly influential and was widely copied by Greek kingdoms and Romans centuries hence; a near-contemporary issue of Seleukos I Nikator has a similar reverse design, though Nike is more demurely clothed. The Kore tetradrachms are found in two main varieties based on the engraving style, termed "Sicilian" and "African," although both were probably struck in Syracuse. This piece exemplifies the finest Sicilian style and is clearly the work of a master engraver.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVII - Session 1 . 82
SICILY, Syracuse. Pyrrhos. 278-276 BC. AR Oktobol (20mm, 5.33 g, 1h). Head of Persephone left, wearing grain ear wreath; poppy to right / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΠYPPOY, Athena Promachos advancing left, shield decorated with aegis on left arm, preparing to cast thunderbolt held aloft in right hand; no control marks. B&S Type 6; BAR Issue 46; HGC 3, 264; SNG Lewis 604–5. Light iridescent tone, a little die wear, a few hairlines on reverse. Good VF. Well centered. From the Wayne Scheible Collection. Ex Gemini I (11 January 2005), lot 50; Leu 72 (12 May 1998), lot 119.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVII - Session 1 . 83
SICILY, Syracuse. Hieron II. 275-215 BC. AR 32 Litrai – Oktadrachm (33.5mm, 28.40 g, 12h). Struck circa 217-215 BC. Diademed head right; trident head to right / Nike, nude to waist, holding kentron in extended right hand and reins in left, driving fast biga right; E below, IEPΩNOΣ in exergue. CCO 3 (D2/R3); BAR Issue 64; HGC 2, 1545; Basel 531 (this coin). Lightly toned, underlying luster, some hairlines. EF. Very rare oktadrachm of Hieron II, one of four known with the trident symbol. From the Hydrologist Collection. Ex A. D. Moretti Collection (Numismatica Ars Classica 13, 8 October 1998), lot 531.Hieron II started life as the illegitimate son of a a noble father, allegedly a distant descendant of the Syracusan tyrant Gelon I. Later legends claim Hieron was exposed as an infant, but swarms of bees fed him honey until his father, warned by an astrologer, came and rescued the boy. As a young man, he served as a mercenary soldier in the army of Pyrrhos of Epeiros. When his commander elected to abort his Sicilian expedition in 275 BC, Hieron stayed behind and convinced a cabal of fellow soldiers to choose him as leader and seize power in Syracuse. He went on to rule the city and much of Sicily, first as a military tyrant, later as an enlightened and successful king, for nearly 50 years. He is most famous as the king who patronized the brilliant polymath Archimedes in his "eureka!" discovery, the principle of displacement. Hieron's coinage is widely varied, interesting, and in many ways inspired by that his Hellenistic ally, the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. The widely circulated silver 16-litra pieces depicting his aristocratic wife, Philistis, are clearly modeled on the veiled portraits of Ptolemaic queens. Much rarer is this exceptionally large and impressive silver coin, struck late in his reign, which depicts the diademed head of Hieron himself on the obverse and Nike driving a racing biga on the reverse. Although the type is often denominated as a 32 litra piece, its weight of about 28 grams (and presumed buying power) is the same as that of Ptolemaic oktadrachm.
Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVII - Session 1 . 84
SICILY, Syracuse. Philistis, wife of Hieron II. 275-215 BC. AR 16 Litrai – Tetradrachm (25mm, 13.59 g, 4h). Struck circa 240-218/5 BC. Diademed and veiled head left; torch to right / BAΣIΛIΣΣAΣ ΦIΛIΣTIΔOΣ, Nike, holding reins in both hands, driving fast quadriga right; E below horses. CCO 49 (D12/R31); BAR Issue 65; HGC 2, 1554; SNG ANS 884 (same dies); SNG Ashmolean 2107 (same dies); SNG München 1357 and 1359 (same dies); McClean 1398 (same dies); Ward 337 (same dies); Weber 1707 (same dies). Lightly toned, minor die wear on obverse. Near EF. Ex Jacquier 49 (17 September 2021), lot 66.Philistis was the daughter of an influential Syracusan named Leptines. Hieron, a mercenary refugee from the army of Pyrrhos of Epeiros, took control of Syracuse after Pyrrhos' withdrawal from the city in 275 BC. Hieron immediately sought out and married Philistis to secure his position with the city's elite. His coinage in her name commenced after he was proclaimed king (and she queen) in 265 BC and reflects the strong influence of Ptolemaic Egypt, depicting her veiled head in a manner reminiscent of Egyptian queens Arsinoe II and Berenike II.