These were two unplanned and pricier purchases at the ANA as the show was winding down. I was struck by the quality of these artistic designs and in particular, the look of these two coins. As I become more educated and engaged with the ancient coin domain, I wholeheartedly agree with the conclusion that the Sicilian designs present the height of Greek Art as depicted in coinage. I am very pleased with the pair. SICILY, Syracuse. Fifth Democracy. 214-212 BC. AR 12 Litrai (22mm, 6.8gr). Obv: Head of Athena left, wearing crested Corinthian helmet, single-pendant earring, necklace, and aegis. Rev: Winged thunderbolt; ΣYPAKOΣIΩN above, ΞA below. Burnett 28. SNG ANS 1046. SNG Lockett 1023. ex CNG 32 (12/1994), Lot 100. NGC Ch AU* 5/5, 5/5, Fine Style. SICILY, Syracuse. Philistis, wife of Hieron II. 275-215 BC. AR 16 Litrai – Tetradrachm (26mm, 13.27gr). Struck circa 240-215/4 BC. Obv: Diademed and veiled bust left; torch behind. Rev: Nike driving galloping quadriga right; E to lower right. Burnett 47; SNG ANS 884. NGC Ch AU, 5/5, 5/4, Fine Style.
Wow, those are amazingly sweet examples (I especially like the Heiron II with his wife on the obverse ... extremely cool coin) ... Ummm, but be careful, Zohar => Ancient Joe is gonna be jealous!!
They're both fabulous. The Hieron II has a particularly graceful and attractive portrait. I'm loving all of your eye candy, Zohar!
Thanks all and TIF for the support - these two set me back a bit financially, yet it was hard to resist. Someone at the ANA show told me that the more it "hurts" the likely solid the purchase is for the long term - I.e "No Pain No Gain". I updated my NGC custom set with everything I currently have - https://coins.www.collectors-society.com/wcm/CoinCustomSetView.aspx?s=15432
Wow! When you decided to start collecting ancients you certainly didn't do it halfway! Very impressive!
Very attractive additions! I actually saw both of these in hand at the ANA show. I like having the previous catalogs of my purchases: here's a scan of the CNG 32 auction with your first coin. Their images leave something to be desired but it is a match:
Joe this is quite helpful. Thank you! I also note my typo of 12 Litrai while this is an 8 Litrai piece. Are these hammer prices or estimates from 1994?
That's the estimate and I'm afraid I don't have a copy of the prices realized. However, this catalog is currently available on VCoins at ANE for $7 which might be worth having (and they say theirs has the PRL). If I were to guess, it probably closed somewhere around the estimate in 1994 dollars.
