Lot 3175

Description

Sicily, Syracuse, Time of Agathokles, (317-289 B.C.), electrum twenty five (25) litrai, (3.786 grams), obv. laureate head of Apollo head with long flowing hair, star behind, dotted border, rev. **SURAK SION* around, tripod lebes with legs ending in lion's feet, dotted border, (S.957, Jenkins 'Electrum Coinage of Syracuse' Essays Robinson, p.157 (Pl.14, obv. die 7, probably rev. die 10, same dies), BMC 258 (same obverse die), Pozzi 632 (same obverse die), Naville Sale X, 316 (same obverse die). Full flan, extremely fine and rare.

An important issue struck during the Carthaginian War c. 310-306 B.C. Jenkins notes that only one obverse die was used for this symbol and at least five reverse dies these with some muling with other obverse dies utilising other symbols. Reverse 10 cannot be checked, it is only known from the Naples piece and is probably the same reverse die on this coin above. The financing of Agathokles' war with the Carthaginians was provided by a series of three electrum denominations, 50, 25 and 10 litrai. Only the 25 litrai was produced in enough quantity to actually play a significant role in the war's financial operations. The gold content of the 25 litrai varies from 70% for the first issue to 30% for the later issues. This probably reflects a lack of booty from the campaign needed to provide the necessary bullion to finance the expedition. The choice of Apollo/tripod type proclaims Agathokles' devotion to his patron god.