Description

Sicily. Syracuse. Agathokles, 317-289 BC. Gold Decadrachm 4.28 g, struck c. 317-310 BC
Laureate head of Apollo left; stalk of grain behind head.  Rev: Charioteer driving fast biga
right; large triskeles below; ethnic clockwise by edge, from twelve to seven o’clock.

SNG ANS 552;  SNG Dewing 934;  Pozzi Coll. 1313.

Extremely Fine

There can be little doubt that the prototype for Agathokles’ issue of gold decadrachms is the prolific gold stater introduced by the Macedonian king Philip II and continued by his successors for at least two decades after his death, down to approximately when Agathokles came to power in Syracuse. Agathokles no doubt chose Philip’s design because it was familiar to Greek mercenaries, which he often had cause to recruit. On some of Agathokles’ coins the portrait of Apollo is highly personalized, reminiscent of the posthumous issues of Philip II on which Apollo has the features of Alexander the Great.