Agathokles. Tyrant of Syracuse. King of Sicily. A potter’s son with the blood of a soldier. Although he was defeated by the Carthiginians and had to settle for a peace treaty, he maintained rigorous control over the Greek cities of Syracuse. Machiavelli described him with a mixture of praise and disdain... It cannot be called prowess to kill fellow-citizens, to betray friends, to be treacherous, pitiless, irreligious. ... Still, if the courage of Agathocles in entering into and extricating himself from dangers be considered, together with his greatness of mind in enduring overcoming hardships, it cannot be seen why he should be esteemed less than the most notable captain. Nevertheless, his barbarous cruelty and inhumanity with infinite wickednesses do not permit him to be celebrated among the most excellent men. - The Prince, Chapter VIII Well, I suppose if we collected coins minted only by excellent men, we would have to throw out most of our collections. Here is Kore (Persephone, who Homer describes as the formidable, venerable, and majestic princess of the underworld) and a butting bull reverse with two dolphins. This coin has a stunning aquamarine patina...
Excellent men, eh? Well that should narrow down my Greek and Roman collection strategy considerably. Nice coin!
Beautiful score, JA ... I agree that the green patina is awesome!! I have an example, but my version has a bunch o' colours instead of just green (kinda like Neapolitan ice-cream?) Sicilia, Syracuse AE23 317-295 B.C. Diameter: 22 x 23 mm Weight: 9.7 grams Obverse: head of Kore-Persephone left, wreathed with grain Reverse: bull butting left, dolphin and above, dolphin below Reference: SNG ANS 561-571
Beautiful surfaces on this one and the centering and detail are quite pleasant Interesting expert from The Prince. I remember having to eat read that book in school.
Owning both silver and bronze from Syracuse, I admit that I am a bit more partial to the bronze. I am still in wonder that coins created 2500 years ago are still so pleasing to the eye.
that green patina is "hot"! lovely coin from syracuse! i've noticed many of their bronze coins (including the two i own) have a little bump on the edge of the flan, on the OP coin it is at 1 o'clock on the obverse. what is that? is it a mini-casting sprue or something?
Gosh @John Anthony I have been looking at / for these coins. He was the first King to take the war to the Carthage homeland! Well before Scipio defeated Hannibal at Zama.
