Ancient Kamarina - a unique coin with an even more unique history

The Kamarina tetras illustrated below is my favorite coin because of the unique history associated with it. The obverse shows a menacing Gorgon, while the reverse illustrates an owl grasping a lizard in its talons. I have questioned the symbolism of the coin's reverse for some time and decided to research for a plausible answer. These are my findings.
The lizard throughout Ancient archaic and classical history has been depicted in scenes of violence or imminent death. The lizard for most purposes symbolizes bad omens or imminent death or destruction. The owl is a representation of Athena, goddess of wisdom and warfare. The idea that the owl is grasping the lizard represents a stop to the bad omens, in my opinion. The Gorgon on the obverse is also a symbol commonly seen in Greek art and architecture as a means to ward off evil.
The symbolism of this bronze tetras ties in uniquely with the ancient history of Kamarina. Founded in 598 b.c. by Syracuse, the colony met an untimely demise not even 50 years later due to an unsuccessful rebellion on Kamarina's part. In 491 b.c. Kamarina was re-founded by Hippocrates of Gela, but it's citizens were relocated shortly after colonization by Hippocrates' successor. After the collapse of the tyranny of Gela, some citizens relocated back to Kamarina. The colony thrived for a time being before calamity struck again. The below-mentioned bronze tetras dates from 420-410 b.c. During this time period, Kamarina was plagued by illness which was blamed by the marsh which separated them from the Corinthians. The leaders of Kamarina made the fatal decision to drain the marsh, which subsequently invited the Corinthians in to brutally attack the village killing all inhabitants around 405 b.c. The bronze tetras, which was a representation of Kamarina's faith in avoiding a repeat of the devastating past fates, tells us a story of a people that had hope where no hope could be found.
The unique history of Kamarina and the beautiful artisty of the bronze tetras, which ties in nicely, are what make this coin a top favorite in my small collection.

 

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Wow, fantastic coin (and sweet write-up) ... thanks for posting your precious!!

=> hey, it's not too often that you find a great coin with so many cool subjects on it (an owl, a lizard and then you even tossed-in a gorgon to bring it on home!! ... well played)

 

A very nice coin indeed. I know these come in a few denominations, uncia, tetras, trias...is there more? What are the general dimensions of the different denominations, or is that indicated just by the number of dots?

 

To start with, the tetras is represented by three pellets below the owl. Each pellet represents 1/12 of the standard litra. So three pellets would represent 3/12 or 1/4 of the standard litra, hence the name tetras meaning four. The use of the pellets brings me to the conclusion that the bronze Kamarinian coins were used in replacement of the actually tetras weight of silver so the denominations for these bronze coins is based on the pellets and not the weight of the coin. I have viewed multiple tetras on wildwinds.com similar to mine (some mis-named trias) all with three pellets in the exergue and most are between 3.3 and 3.7 grams. However one was listed at 4.05 grams. Four coins were listed with one pellet in the exergue, one listed as an obol, one as an onkia, and two as uncia, all between 1.15 and 1.4 grams. Whatever name is correct, the actually denomination is 1/12 of the standard silver litra weight, as noted by the single pellet in the exergue. I have found no other denominations of this particular style coin.
However I have seen a tetradrachm, didrachm, hemilitra, and litra silver Kamarina coins on acsearch. I would love to own a silver Kamarina coin but have not seen any for sale and most seem to be beyond my price range that have sold previously. If anybody has a pic of a silver Kamarina please post it.

 

Great coin Nathan! Very attractive and fantastic history! Just heard the story you tell the other day. Everything the same but I will add that in the version I heard the oracles foretold that if the marshes were drained the city come to ruin. The people did not listen to their oracles and the rest is history.

 

Correction: I meant Carthaginians, not Corinthians.

 

that's a super coin nathanj...that facing gorgon looks great and the douple critter reverse is a win for sure. i dig that is has the denomination on the coin also.

 

The above pic is a dealer pic...here are my personal pics of the Kamarina tetras