Sicily, Syracuse. Philistis, wife of Hieron II. Silver 16 Litrai (13.57 g), 275-215 BC. Under Hieron II, ca. 218/7-215 BC. Diademed and veiled head of Philistis left. Reverse: BAΣIΛIΣΣAΣ ΦIΛIΣTIΔOΣ, Nike driving galloping quadriga right, holding reins; above, crescent; below horses' forelegs, grain ear. CCO 75 (D 11/R46; this coin); HGC 1556; SNG ANS 882. Incredible old cabinet toning! NGC grade Ch AU; Strike: 4/5, Surface: 4/5. Flan flaws (very minor and hardly worth mentioning(. Estimated Value $4,000 - UP
Philistis, the wife of Hieron II of Syracuse, is known by name only from the coins struck in her name and from a Greek inscription on the theater of Syracuse. While the quadriga type on the reverse had been traditional for Syracusan silver since the fifth century BC, the obverse portrait of the queen is very contemporary and Hellenistic in style. The representation of Philistis veiled and wearing the diadem (the Hellenistic symbol of royal status par excellence) is very much inspired by depictions of Arsinoe II on Ptolemaic gold coins. This is perhaps not overly surprising since Syracuse and Ptolemaic Egypt together dominated the western Mediterranean grain export trade and Hieron II is known to have been on very friendly terms with Ptolemy III. However, whereas Arsinoe II is clearly deified on Ptolemaic coins, Philistis here is merely idealized. She is clearly a queen, but not a goddess. This humble quality is perhaps to be expected for the depiction of a queen whose husband rose first from the status of a military commander to that of tyrant, and then to king.
Ex CNG/NAC 40 (4 December 1996), 918; J. Pierpont Morgan Collection (Wayte Raymond FPL, 1953), 156. Included is the original 1953 Wayte Raymond Sale catalog.