Roma Numismatics

Auction XXI  –  24 - 25 March 2021

Roma Numismatics, Auction XXI

Celtic, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Islamic and World Coins

Part 1: We, 24.03.2021, from 2:00 PM CET
Part 2: Th, 25.03.2021, from 2:00 PM CET
The auction is closed.

Description

Sicily, Motya AR Tetradrachm. Circa 400-397 BC. Head of Arethusa to left, hair in ampyx and sakkos; four dolphins swimming around / Crab. Jenkins, Punic 47 (O6/R9); Campana 22; CNP 502; Jameson 667 (same dies); HGC 2, 923 (same). 16.99g, 25mm, 5h.

Extremely Fine; light smoothing on rev. Extremely Rare.

Ex Weise Collection;
Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Triton V, 15 January 2002, lot 1196.

As the Greek colonies in Sicily increased in numbers and importance the Phoenicians, who had established numerous small outposts there, gradually abandoned their settlements in the immediate neighbourhood of the newcomers, and concentrated themselves in the three principal colonies of Solus, Panormos, and Motya. This latter, on account of the natural strength of its position (being situated on a small island connected to the mainland only by an artificial causeway), and its proximity to Carthage, became one of the chief strongholds of the Carthaginians.

During the campaign of Hannibal Mago in 409 BC, the city became the base for the Carthaginian fleet, as it was again during the second expedition under Hamilcar in 407.

The strategic value of Motya thus caused Dionysios I of Syracuse to direct his principal efforts to its reduction when he launched a counter-invasion of the Carthaginian territories in Sicily in 397. The citizens of Motya made preparations for a vigorous resistance by cutting off the causeway and readying themselves for a protracted siege. Dionysios was compelled to construct his own approach across the gulf, and applied his siege engines to the walls, which included the newly invented catapult. Even when the siege towers were at the walls the Motyans continued a desperate resistance, and when the walls and towers were carried by the Greek forces they continued to fight from street to street and house to house. Such was the grim resistance offered by the defenders that when at last the troops of Dionysios made themselves masters of the city, they put the whole surviving population, men, women, and children, to the sword.

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Bidding

Price realized 14'000 GBP
Starting price 7'500 GBP
Estimate 12'500 GBP
The auction is closed.
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