Syracuse, Sicily Lovelies

[Scottishmoney]

 

This is my earliest Syracuse Sicily piece, this dates from approximately 400 BCE and has a portrait of a nymph, with some suggestion of this being Arethusa. On the reverse is a dolphin over a scallop shell.

 

This piece was cast, as many early ancient bronzes from Sicily were. Curiously a large casting spur was never removed from the coin, despite the ease at which it could be removed by breaking it off.

 

Here is my favourite Syracusan coin:

 

 

This piece is from the reign of Agathokles, King of Syracuse during 317-289 BCE. The piece has a portrait of Artemis(Diana) and the legend Soteira(saviour) On the reverse of the piece is a winged thunderbolt and the legend Agathokleos Basileos, Agathokles, King.