I've recently ventured into ancient Greek coins. The Syracusan coins really interest me. There is such a variety and so many beautiful and classically rendered artistic designs to choose from. Here's my latest New-Pickup. Please post your Syracusan coins! King Hieron II was the Greek Sicilian King of Syracuse and the illegitimate son of Hierocles, a Syracusan noble who claimed descent from Gelon. Hieron II was a General under Pyrrus of Epirus and played an important role in the first Punic War fought between Carthage and the Roman Republic. Syracuse, Hieron II (274-216 BC) AE Hemilitron, 27mm 14.9g OBV: Diademed head of Hieron II facing left. REV: IERWNOS in exergue; horseman prancing right, holding couched lance. (Calciati II pg. 380, 383)
Beautiful portrait. Nice pickup for sure. SICILY, SYRACUSE, HIERON II AE19 OBVERSE: Head of Poseidon left. REVERSE: IEP-ONOS, ornamented trident of Poseidon Struck at Syracuse, Sicily 275-216 BC 6.5g; 19mm SG 1223
Nice looking coin. I like the coins from Syracuse, they always have nice designs and to find one in good condition is a good addition.
Great coin! I particularly like the reverse. Here's my favorite coin from Syracuse: See my thread here
SWEET new greek AE RB, very nice details. when I think of hieron ii I think of the trident coin, like bings. the horseman is cool.
Coins from Syracuse are probably my favorites of all ancients. SICILY, Syracuse. Agathokles (317-289 BCE) 310-305 BCE AR tetradrachm, 17.40 g, 24 mm Obv: head of the nymph Arethusa left, wearing grain wreath, earring and necklace; around, three dolphins; under, monogram (NK?) Rev: ΣYPAKOΣIΩN, fast chariot charioteer leads to left, holding reins and kentron; above, triskeles; in exergue, monogram Ref: Ierardi 9; SNG Copenhagen 573 var., SNG ANS 637 ArtCoinsRoma, auction 8, Feb. 2014; lovely reflection template courtesy of AncientJoe The story of its acquisition is here. A far more modest but charming bronze coin from Syracuse: Sicily, Syracuse. Dionysos I 390 BCE Æ tetras, 14 mm, 1.8 gm Obv: head of nymph facing slightly left, wearing necklace Rev: octopus Ref: CNS 29; SNG ANS 385
Atta-boy, Bannon => that's a wonderful new addition (sweet obverse & I love the animal reverse) ... two-thumbs-up, my friend! I have a Hieron II example as well (same type as Bing's coin) ... ... Poseidon has a sweet doo-rag
very very nice indeed, beter then most of my Hadrian bronces, and your Piece being so mutch older. best regards, eric
I, along with others, consider Syracusan coins probably the height of coin artistry. Even more than Syracuse, all of Sicily just had spectacular Classic Greek coins. Nice new bronze Race!
Good luck with the greek coin thing. Your new coin and the photo of your new coin are great. It is a handsome (and large) coin. I do not yet have any coins from Syracuse. However, I do have a couple from Sicily to share. This Tet is from Messana (Zankle): This Punic Tet is from Entella:
