Dilitron of Syracuse

Here's my favorite coin from a 14-coin mixed lot purchased a few weeks ago. Only 6 coins were pictured, and this not being one of then, I was pleasantly surprised when a big, hefty Syracuse dilitron popped out of its envelope.

It had a smattering of light BD that had to be dealt with, but the surface issues being what they are, I still think it's an incredible coin and certainly worth more than the $35 average per coin cost of the lot.



SICILY, Syracuse
Timoleon and the Third Democracy
Circa 336 - 317 BC
AE Dilitron
21.31g, 27mm
Calciati 80; SNG Cop 725
O: [ΖΕΥΣ ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΟΣ], laureate head of Zeus Eleutherios left.
R: [ΣYPAKOΣIΩN], horse prancing left.

The Zeus portrait was a revelation to me, as I haven't seen many Greek bronzes with this level of artistry. Some reading suggests that Timoleon, the Corinthian general who became the de facto master of Syracuse, brought with him highly skilled engravers from Corinth. He likely used them when he issued a new series of Syracusan coinage such as this dilitron, which shows a portrait of Zeus Eleutherios (Zeus the Liberator), a celebration of Timoleon's saving the city from the siege of Hiketas, the tyrant of Leontini, and his restoration of democratic government to Syracuse.

If you have coins of Syracuse or with Zeus portraits you'd like to show, let's see them!

 

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What a gorgeous big rock of a coin! Wow. Well-done, sir.

 

Wow, that is fantastic (cool animal-coin!!)

man, I'm a huge fan of those sweet sprue-coins from Sicily (congrats) ...

=> here are a quick-10 of my Syracuse favourites ...

 

Fantastic coin! I always look at that type when auctions are posted. One of these days...

 

Very fine coin TIF. Love the portrait.

 

It is actually Z-bro's coin, my friend (hope all is well)

 

Z-- once again people are crediting your coins to me. Clearly that means you are supposed to forward the coins to my address

 

Whoah, did my coin just get mistaken for one of TIF's? Yessssss!! Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, my work here is done. I'm quitting while I'm ahead.

Seriously though, thanks guys, I'm really digging this coin. Thanks too for sharing your Syracusan examples.

 

LOL. You are giving me too much credit. Thanks though

 

Erm, well, yes... I'll get right on it come Monday. But don't be surprised if you don't receive it, you know how unreliable the postal service is these days.

 

TIF, Z. What's the diff? Both of you have nice coins.

Sorry for the mistake Z

 

Odd? ... I've never thought about either of them dressed in the Emperor's new clothes (wow JA, you've added a whole new dimension to our lil' coin-group)

At the moment, I am not in tip-top shape like Z & TIF (man, I need to get back on my exercise bike!!)

 

Great portrait on it. Hopefully the BD doesnt come back.

 

Yeah, I'll probably have to be monitoring it for life. I had to get all Lady Macbeth with it with my brush.
Out, damned green spot! Out, I say!

 

Excellently struck coins ya' got there Zum.
That is not the coin you are looking for.

 

that zeus portrait is stunning...what an awesome greek.

i don't have a greek from syracuse.

how embarrassing.

 

Wow Z, another great coin, super coin, great details, love it, i going out and buy a Zeus right now!!!

 

Hi,
My only coin from Syracuse.
~Doug

 

very good looking coin dlhill. Very nicely detailed reverse especially the dolphin.