I recently bought my first coin from Syracuse, a humble AE Litra of Hieron II

I’ve always wanted to own a coin from Syracuse, however the silver staters, tetradrachms, dekadrachms, and larger bronzes can be pricey. For now I’ll satisy myself with this bronze litra of Hieron II, which are plentiful and affordable for any collector.



Sicily, Syracuse, Hieron II, 275 - 215 BC AE Litra, 23mm, 6.82 grams Obverse: Head of Poseidon left wearing tainia. Reverse: Ornamented trident head flanked by two downwards dolphins. SNG Copenhagen 844ff

Ex. Ken Dorney

Please share your coins of Syracuse or coins depicting Poseidon/Neptune!

 

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That's a very nice coin to start your Syracuse collection. It is hard to find other contemporary coinage with such artistry in just about all denominations, not only from Syracuse but also from other Sicilian cities.

Here's a Syracusan, Second Democracy, circa 420-415 BC.
HGC 2, 1322; SNG ANS 227; SNG Copenhagen 663.

 

I love the style of that portrait!

 

This Syracusan onkia is my first ancient Greek coin! I got it for the octopus before I even started collecting ancient coins.

 

Nice example! The tetradrachms and decadrachms of Syracuse are prized for showing some of the most accomplished engraving work seen on Greek coins and accordingly are very expensive. Sicilian bronze coins are more affordable but still quite beautiful:


Sicily, Syracuse (under Hiketas), AE22, 287–278 BC. Obv: [ΔIOΣ EΛΛANIOY]; head of Zeus Hellanios, laureate, l. Rev: ΣYPAK[OΣION]; eagle standing l. on thunderbolt, with wings displayed; monogram to l. 22mm, 9.94g. Ref: CNS II, 157 DS 112 R1 4 (p. 304); HGC II, 1448. Ex Savoca London, 2nd Blue Auction, lot 26.


Sicily, Syracuse (under Hieron II), AE litra, 274–216 BC. Obv: head of Poseidon, diademed, left. Reverse: [IEP-ΩNOΣ]; ornamented trident flanked by two dolphins. 19mm, 5.32g. Ref: SNG Copenhagen 844–856; BMC 598–612.

 

Very nice example @Mr.MonkeySwag96 ! Nice find.

A few of mine...

SYRACUSE


Sicily Syracuse 317-289 BC AE 23 Hemilitron Agathokles Kore Bull Dolphin Left



SYRACUSE
2nd Democracy 466-405 BCE
Æ Tetras
2.7g 15mm c.425 BCE
Arethusa dolphins -
Octopus 3 pellets
SNG ANS 376 Calciati II.21.1



Sicily Syracuse Hieron II 275-269 BC AE 22 Persephone Bull LEFT



Sicily Syracuse Hieron II 275-269 BC AE 15 Persephone Bull RIGHT Rare



Syracuse Gelon 485-478 BCE AR Tet 24mm 16.7g Slow Biga Victory Arethusa 4 dolphins Sear-Greek S 914 Ex Charles Reeve



SICILY Syracuse Hieron II 274-216 BC Æ26 15.9g diademed Left - ΙΕΡΟΝΩΣ Hrsemn gallping r hldng spear HGC 2 1548 CNS II 193

 

I very much like your trident Mr Monkey , its still on my wantlist.

Heres my Syracuse collection:

 

While I was at the NYINC I picked up this coin from the mint of Syracuse
Ae Drachm Time of Dionysios I 405-367 AD Obv Head of Athena left wearing Corinthian style helmet decorated with a wreath. Rv. Sea star flanked by two dolphins. HGC 1436 27.48 grms 28 mm Photo by W. Hansen I probably have more coins from the mint of Syracuse than I do from any other mint. I am particularly fond of the coins from this mint as they are usually well executed. Often they are at the cutting edge of development during that time. The city produced coins over an extended period of time thus creating a wide variety in both types and style. This is one of the earlier aes issues from this mint. It is one of the earliest large aes issues from any of the Sicilian mints.

 

Nice Poseidon! I'd like to get one of these when I find the right one (I've been seeing a lot of attractive examples lately, I believe a bunch at Stack's and maybe some at CNG).

I've got a few bronzes of Hieron II, these two are probably my favorites -- the small (~17mm) bull butting & club types. I like that the wreathed Kore is depicted slightly differently:


Ex Clain-Stefanelli Collection, 17mm, 3.98g, 8h.


Ex Richard Baker Collection, 17.5mm, 4.88g, 3h.

 

Nice coin, well struck and centered.
I have a couple that are hidden under RR coins.

 

Thank you.

The coin is not in the best of shape: edge splits, horn silver deposits and cleaning, but the portrait is in fine style and the reverse strike is very decent for this issue.

 

Sweet, Roman Republican coinage are my main focus in regards to ancients

 

Nice Litra, @Mr.MonkeySwag96. Good details on both sides.

Here are two Syracuse bronzes in my collection:
SYRACUSE. Hiketas II 287-278 BC. AE ( 7.26g, 24mm )
Obv: Head of Kore left, grain ear behind.
Rev: Charioteer in biga right, star above.
SNG Cop.802, SNG ANS 760.
Ex. Pavlos S. Pavlou


SICILY, Syracuse. Æ Litra.
Timoleon and the Third Democracy. 344-317 BC.
Obv: Laureate head of Apollo left; Campanian. Helmet to right
Rev: Pegasus flying left; monogram above.
CNS 86 DS 46 R 11; HGC 2, 1488.
20mm, 5.69 g, 7h.
Ex: CNG (from the Sigmund Collection)

 

Nice piece @Mr.MonkeySwag96 and some other interestng coins posted..

Sicily, Syracuse. Hieron II. 274-216 BC. Æ-Litra (19mm, 6.38g).
Obverse..Diademed head of Poseidon left with border of dots.
Reverse..ΙΕΡΩΝΟΣ, Ornate scroll decorated trident with lotiform shaft flanked by dolphins.
Ref:for type SNG Cop 844-856.

 

Those Poseidon types are excellent coins, and a great doorway into Sicilian coinage.

 

Congratz! Great coin and a great start for Sicily bronzes. I'm looking to find a good Poseidon for my own collection of the Greek Pantheon. Here are the ones I've collected so far that are from Syracuse.


HGCS 2 1440 (S)
Date: c. 343-339/8 BC or 332-317 BC
Weight: 14.16 g
Mint: Syracuse
Obverse: IEYΣ ΕΛ-ΕΥ-ΘΕΡΙΟΣ. Laureate head of Zeus Eleutherios r.
Reverse: ΣYΡAKOΣIΩN. Thunderbolt. Eagle to r.
Struck under Timoleon or the Third Democracy

HGCS 2 1442 (R2)
Date: c. 343-332 BC or 334-317 BC
Weight: 11.24 g
Mint: Syracuse
Obverse: ΣYΡAKOΣIΩN. Head of Persephone l., wreathed with grain.
Reverse: Pegasos flying l. Mint mark Σ below.
Struck under Timoleon or the Third Democracy

Sicily, Syracuse Æ Litra. Agathokles (Third Democracy), circa 310-305 BC. ΣYPAKOΣ[IΩN], laureate head of Apollo to left, amphora to right / Pegasos flying to left; uncertain letter(s) below. Cf. CNS 85; HGC 2, 1486 (Agathokles). 5.50g, 19mm, 9h.

 

I got around to photographing the Litra this morning.

Syracuse, circa 390 BC
AE Litra
Obverse: Athena facing left, wearing a Corinthian helmet, Syracuse legend above.
Reverse: Hippocampus facing left.
SNG ANS 435

7.12 grams

 

I do not have one with Poseidon/ but do have Arethusa/ Herakles/ Octopus
AV 10 Litrai ND Syracuse Mint
Dion 357-54BC
Sicily/ Syracuse
ex: Fenzl/ MA-shops

AV Tetradrachm ND Syracuse Mint
Dionysus 405-400BC
Sicily/ Syracuse
ex: Lansky/ Sadijas Coll.

 

I purchased mine from Ken Dorney as well: