Sicile, Syracuse, Agathoclès (317-289 av. J.-C.). 50 litrai ou décadrachme d’Or ND (317-310 av. J.-C.), Syracuse.

ANCIENT GREECE Sicily, Syracuse, Agathocles (317-289 BC). 50 litrai or gold decadrachm ND (317-310 BC), Syracuse.
Obv. Laureate head of Apollo facing left, Σ behind the neck.
Rev. ΣΥΡΑ-Κ-ΟΣΙΩΝ. Biga (two-horse chariot) driven by an auriga, galloping to the right ; below, a triskelion.
Dewing 934 v. - Gulbenkian 327 v. - SNG ANS 552 v. (left oriented triskelion) ; Gold - 4,27g - 16 mm - 12h.
From Cincinnati Museum of Art, acquired by Harlan J. Berk in 1989, then in a private collection in Cincinnati, Ohio, Gemini V sale, January 6th 2009, n°42
NGC MS 5/5 4/5 Fine style brushed. With a right oriented triskelion. Minor traces of handling and hairlines for this very fresh example, with mint lustre barely burnished.

Agathocles takes power in Syracuse in 317, helped by a band of mercenaries. He orders the execution of some oligarchs of Syracuse and strengthens his power to control the whole Sicily. After having eliminated the Carthaginians, against whom he’s the first to start a military expedition in North Africa, he proclaims himself King (basileus) of Sicily in 306. Considering himself the successor of Alexander, he secures some alliances with the other Hellenistic rulers : for example, he marries the daughter of Ptolemy and he marries his own daughter to Pyrrhus I of Epirus. During his reign, he’s responsible for the trade in the western Mediterranean. After his assassination in 289, Sicily faces twenty years of political chaos until the arrival of Hieron. His reign is, for the arts, the period between the late classical style and the novelties of the Hellenistic style. Our example is a high level illustration of this art and a reminder that Apollo and his sister Artemis are protective deities of Syracuse.