SICILY. Leontini. Circa 476-466 BC. Didrachm (Silver, 22 mm, 8.69 g, 10 h). Nude jockey on horse trotting to right. Rev. ΛEONTINON Head of lion with open jaws to right; around, four barley grains. Boehringer, Münzgeschichte 11-13. Rizzo, pl 22, 11 ( this obverse die ). SNG ANS 207 ( this obverse die ). Beautifully toned and centered, among the finest known examples of the type, a splendid piece. Extremely fine.

From an American collection, ex Peus 421, 1 November 2017, 1040 and Lanz 92, 4 June 1999, 143.

While didrachms were struck by Leontini, as they were by Syracuse, they were not a significant part of the city's coinage. When major fractions of the tetradrachm were needed, it is more than likely that they were supplied by the standard didrachm coinages produced by other cities, such as Segesta or Selinos. The present piece is not only a wonderful example of a Leontinine didrachm, in its condition it is also one of the finest known.