I ordered this coin continuing to fill out more of my Sicilian Greek coinage sub-collection that I've recently found a spark of interest in. So, as you might have assumed, I bought this initially with the belief that it was from Sicily and was listed as such struck by Hieron II. I received it yesterday and started to do more researching on ACSearch and found similar coins... but to my confusion, they were listed as Ptolemy II, and... well, I guess it had that common type with Zeus and and eagle, but it had more of a similar Greek-style Zeus to the Mamertine coin I recently shared. I decided to go to CNG to research a bit more there, and came across this listing describing that this type has recently become to be thought of as more probably being struck in Sicily by Hieron II imitating the Ptolemy type. So, as with any Ptolemy coin, I ventured to the Ptolemaic Bronze site to see if I can find out more from Wolf & Lorber. On their site, they had a section where my coin was discussed as being from Sicily imitating Ptolemy II and many styles/types of it shown. Additionally, on the home page they linked to an offprint article (The ‘Galatian Shield without "Σ" Series of Ptolemaic Bronze Coins) studying and presenting some very convincing evidence towards it being stuck by Hieron II. I'd recommend downloading the PDF and flipping through it. Here is my new coin: Syracuse, Sicily imitating Ptolemaic Issues of Ptolemy II Philadelphos in Alexandria, Minted under Hieron II, Ruled 270-215 BC AE Litra (Sicilian value), Uncertain mint in Sicily, Struck post-reform circa 264-263 BC Obverse: Laureate head of Zeus right (Sicilian Portrait Style B). Reverse: ΠTOΛEMAIOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ, Eagle standing left on thunderbolt, with wings spread; oval shield to left, control mark A to lower right near eagle tail; all within solid circle border. References: Svoronos 615, Wolf & Lorber, ‘Western Greek’ Style, Subgroup 3, H69 (A42/P56) Size: 27mm, 18.3g Anyways, I learned a lot from this departure from the normal "finding it on ACSearch" and had some fun in the process. Also, I thought I'd share another Sicilian coin that was ordered and delivered with the above coin: Syracuse, Sicily Hieron II, Ruled 270-215 BC AE Hemilitron, Struck circa 275-269 BC Obverse: ΣYPAKOΣIΩN, wreathed head of Kore left; poppy-head behind. Reverse: Bull butting left; above, club above Δ; IE in exergue. References: CNS II 192, HGC 2 1469 Size: 19mm, 5.2g I'd love to see your Sicilian coins, Ptolemaic coins, or anything you think is relevant.
That's an interesting coin! He even kept Ptolemy's name on it. My Hieron II! Hieron II, Syracuse, 275-215 BC O: Poseidon, R: Trident between dolphins, ΙΕΡΩ−ΝΟΣ below, 20 mm, 6.6g, Calciati-197
Sicilian: Timoleon and Third Democracy, Æ Hemilitron 18 mm, 4.76 g; Syracuse, 336 – 317 BC Ref.: SNG München 1175-1176; Obv.: (ΣYPAKOΣI)ΩN Laureate head of Apollo left, behind head wreath, border of dots. Below chin A Rev.: Pegasus flying left. YE monogram The prevalence of the Pegasus as a Syracuse type is of course due to the influence of Corinth.
I thought it was interesting too! I really like your Hieron II! That type is probably going to be my next purchase. Your's has two really nice dies! A few that I have saved have either one nice side or the other, few appear to have both (in my price range).
Really nice Pegasus! And that portrait is really nice too! Thank you for sharing the contrasting Ptolemy II with the 'Σ' above the shield and control mark between the eagle's legs. And really nice bulls too!
SYRACUSE BULLS - Left and Right 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 HIERON II - common trident version Sicily Syracuse Hieron II 275-215 BCE AE20 Poseidon Trident Dolphin MAMARTINI - Eagle / Zeus Sicily Mamertini 288-278 BCE AE Pentonkion Mars-Eagle Mercenary Samnites Messana
Here is a little Ptol II Zeus Eagle Egypt Ptolemy II 285-274 BC AE 17mm (probly <3g) Zeus - Eagle Cornuc SV 762
Interesting coin, OP! Here are a few of my bronze coins from Sicily: Sicily. Syracuse. Hieron II Æ Hemilitron; 275-215 BC Sicily. Himera Æ Hemilitron; 415-409 BC Sicily, Kamarina Æ Tetras; 420-405 BC Sicily, Syracuse Dyonysios I Æ Litra; 390-375 BC
Hieron with shorter hair and a nice beard 21 mm, 9.04 g; Syracuse, ca. 240 - 215 BC Ref.:: Calciati II 194-198; Sear 1223; Ob.: head of Poseidon to left Rev.: Ornamented trident-head between two dolphins; (IE)Ρ(Ω)NO(Σ)
Great coin Justin, excellent Zeus. Sicily Syracuse Hieron II 275-269 BC AE 20 6.45 gms Head of Kore, Bull butting left club and m, ie below SNG ANS 580.
Great post! I have a few of these I need to look at that have been a bit neglected- these links will be very helpful. Here are two of my Sicilian Coins:
Syakusos Litra c. 474-443 BCE during time of tyranny. Artemis/Arethusa head right. SYRA before. 0.89 grams. Cuttlefish. Alfoeldi 136 ("obol"). Sear GCV 929.Boehringer 467. Ptolemy II AR tetradrachma 285-246 BCE PTOLEMAIOY SOTHPOS (soteros) 13.50 grams. Tyre mint. Monogram T (over) Y (over) P Lambda Beta = Year 32 = 254 BCE. Club of Herakles. Monogram X. Monogram M SNG Cambridge 1196. Sear GCV 7773