Lot 1984

Description

Sicily, Syracuse, Agathokles, (317-289 B.C.), gold drachm or octobol, issued c.295-289 B.C., (5.62 grams), obv. head of Athena to right wearing crested Corinthian helmet, adorned with a griffin, rev. thunderebolt **AGAQOKLEOS* above, **BASILEWS* below, monogram of V over E at base, (S.970, SNG Munich 1258, Winterhur 963, BMC 419, SNG ANS. 704). Attractive red tone, nearly extremely fine and of very fine style, rare.

It is interesting to reflect in the literature on the denomination of this coin, Sear calls it a stater, ANS call it a double decadrachm, Winterhur, Munich and Copenhagen call it an octobol, other auction catalogues refer to it as a drachm or a one hundred litrai coin.