GREEK COINS
SICILY
Syracuse. Hieron II (?), 275-215 BC. Dekadrachm (Gold, 15mm, 4.26 g 12), c. 275-270 (?), or perhaps earlier, c. 278-275. Head of Kore-Persephone to left, wearing wreath of reeds, pendant earring and pearl necklace; behind neck, Β. Rev. [Σ]ΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩ[Ν] Nike driving biga galloping to right; above, eight-pointed star. Giesecke pl. 24, 3 ( sam e dies ). Jameson 870 ( same dies ). Of great rarity, one of a very few examples known , and of elegant and attractive style. Very minor flatness on the reverse, otherwise , extremely fine. Ex Monnaies et Médailles 61, 7 October 1982, 67. This is both a very interesting coin and a surprisingly rare one. It has been attributed to the early years of Hieron II, but it could just as well have been produced in the short period after the fall of Hiketas and prior to Hieron’s accession to power. The types are, of course, those of Hiketas; and they were certainly engraved by the engraver responsible for his gold issues.