Finally got me a Syracuse Octopus Litra

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by The Meat man, Jan 25, 2026 at 9:00 PM.

  1. The Meat man

    The Meat man Supporter! Supporter

    I've wanted one of these for awhile, and not long ago I managed to acquire this pleasing specimen. I love the artistry of the octopus (even though he may be missing an arm or two!) and Arethousa is very nicely done too.
    There are certainly better ones out there, but this one doesn't really have any faults and I'm more than happy with it!

    Sicily Syracuse AR litra.jpg
    SICILY, SYRACUSE
    Second Democracy, 466-405 BC
    AR Litra (12.4mm, 0.78g, 5h)
    Struck c. 460-450 BC
    Obverse: Head of Arethousa right, wearing pearl tainia
    Reverse: ΣYRA, octopus
    References: SNG ANS 132; HGC 2, 1375
    Darkly toned. Perfectly centered and well struck. A fine example of classical Syracusan art in miniature.    ​


    Feel free to comment and/or post up your own Octopodes! ;)
     
    The Meat man, Jan 25, 2026 at 9:00 PM
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    Joshua Lemons, panzerman, NonFloreatExxon and 12 others like this.
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  3. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    Congrats! @The Meat man


    [​IMG]
    Sicily Syracuse AE Onkia 12-10mm 1.4g 425-415 BCE Arethusa - Octopus BMC 249


    [​IMG]
    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
     
    Alegandron, Jan 25, 2026 at 9:17 PM
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    Joshua Lemons, panzerman, NonFloreatExxon and 6 others like this.
  4. calcol

    calcol Supporter! Supporter

    Nice coin! Thanks for posting. Mike
     
    calcol, Jan 25, 2026 at 9:57 PM
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  5. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    I'm jealous!!!!!
     
    Bing, Jan 25, 2026 at 10:10 PM
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  6. The Meat man

    The Meat man Supporter! Supporter

    Great little bronzes!
     
    The Meat man, Jan 26, 2026 at 7:19 AM
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  7. The Meat man

    The Meat man Supporter! Supporter

    Thanks! :)
     
    The Meat man, Jan 26, 2026 at 7:19 AM
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  8. panzerman

    panzerman Well-Known Member

    Fantastic coin, congratulations, You deserve it:)

    I have one too!
    AV 10 Litrai ND
    Syracuse Mint
    Agathokles I 317-289BC
    obv: Arethusa wearing Stephane
    rev. Octopus
    0.94g. 9.5mm. .999
    BMC 270 Sear 959 69584_sizilien-syrakus (9).jpg
     
    panzerman, Jan 27, 2026 at 8:01 PM
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  9. The Meat man

    The Meat man Supporter! Supporter

    Thanks panzerman! Lovely coin - I didn't know that they minted gold octopus coins!
     
    The Meat man, Jan 27, 2026 at 11:36 PM
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  10. panzerman

    panzerman Well-Known Member

    And even EL 5 Litrai ones!
     
    panzerman, Jan 28, 2026 at 8:59 AM
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