Tetradrachm. Greek Coins. Sicily. Syracuse. 310-305 BC. Time of Agathokles. (Ierardi-103e). Head of Kore to right, wearing wreath of grain ears and single-pendant earring; KOPAΣ behind. Nike standing to right, erecting trophy to right; monogram to lower left, triskeles to right, AΓAΘOKΛEOΣ in exergue. Nice and slight patina. Well-centered. Rare. With the usurpation of Agathokles in 317 BC, Syracuse once more monopolised the right of coinage for the whole of Sicily, even more distinctly than in the time of Dionysios. Yet the reign of Agathokles, as noted by Malcolm Bell (Morgantine Studies I, 1981) was a watershed for the arts in Sicily, just as it was for politics. The change from a conservative late-classical style to the new modes of the early-Hellenistic period came very quickly, within the space of a decade, and it coincided with the replacement of democratic government by the new monarchy. It is clearly perceptible in the coins that... document the full acceptance of early-Hellenistic style.Depicted often as a cruel and unscrupulous adventurer and tyrant, Agathokles achieved little of lasting historical importance; indeed after his death anarchy erupted both in Syracuse, where a damnatio memoriae was decreed, and in other places that had been under his rule (Diod. Sic. 21. 18). Nonetheless, his patronage of the arts left a legacy of beauty as embodied by a small number of surviving works of art from his reign, and smaller but no less wonderful objects such as this stunning coin.Tiny lines on the cheek. Very beautiful. XF. Hgc. 2, 1536. Boston MFA. 463 = Warren 406. Ae. 16,68.

Lot description

Sicily. Syracuse. Tetradrachm. 310-305 BC. Time of Agathokles. (Ierardi-103e). (Hgc-2, 1536). (Boston MFA-463 = Warren 406). Anv.: Head of Kore to right, wearing wreath of grain ears and single-pendant earring; KOPAΣ behind. Rev.: Nike standing to right, erecting trophy to right; monogram to lower left, triskeles to right, AΓAΘOKΛEOΣ in exergue. Ae. 16,68 g. Nice and slight patina. Well-centered. Rare. With the usurpation of Agathokles in 317 BC, Syracuse once more monopolised the right of coinage for the whole of Sicily, even more distinctly than in the time of Dionysios. Yet the reign of Agathokles, as noted by Malcolm Bell (Morgantine Studies I, 1981) "was a watershed for the arts in Sicily, just as it was for politics. The change from a conservative late-classical style to the new modes of the early-Hellenistic period came very quickly, within the space of a decade, and it coincided with the replacement of democratic government by the new monarchy. It is clearly perceptible in the coins that... document the full acceptance of early-Hellenistic style."
Depicted often as a cruel and unscrupulous adventurer and tyrant, Agathokles achieved little of lasting historical importance; indeed after his death anarchy erupted both in Syracuse, where a damnatio memoriae was decreed, and in other places that had been under his rule (Diod. Sic. 21. 18). Nonetheless, his patronage of the arts left a legacy of beauty as embodied by a small number of surviving works of art from his reign, and smaller but no less wonderful objects such as this stunning coin.
Tiny lines on the cheek. Very beautiful. XF. Est...2000,00.

Starting bid

900 €

Current bid

1.800 €

Bid history ( bids)

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Lot 10 | Greek Coins

Historical Background

Lot description