Lot 3864

Description

Sicily, Syracuse, Time of Agathokles, (317-289 B.C.), electrum twenty five litrai, (1.84 g), obv. laureate head of Apollo left with long flowing hair, rev. **[S]URAKO SION* around, kithara, (S.958, Jenkins 'Electrum Coinage of Syracuse' Essays Robinson, p.155 (Pl.14), SNG ANS 617ff, BMC 266ff, McClean 2778). Nearly very fine and rare.

An important issue struck during the Carthaginian War c.310-306 B.C. The financing of Agathokles' war with the Carthaginians was provided by a series of three electrum denominations, 50, 25 and 10 litrai. Only the 50 litrai was produced in enough quantity to actually play a significant role in the war's financial operations. The gold content of the 50 litrai varies from 70% for the first issue to 30% for the later issues (examples of this die averaged 50%). This probably reflects a lack of booty from the campaign needed to provide the necessary bullion to finance the expedition.