Description
Denomination: Copper AE19
Period: During the Third Democracy. Timoleon rule
Date: 344-317BC
Origin: Syracuse mint
Condition: VF. slightly off centre
Obverse: Laureate head of Apollo. left. legend in Greek to left SYRAKOSION
Reverse: Pegasus flying left
Size and Weight: 19mm. 4.86g
References: CNS 85
Features and Provenance: This almost insignificant little copper coin holds remarkable historic value. The obverse has the bust of Apollo and on the reverse. Pegasus. It was produced at a time of upheaval for Syracuse; after a series of tyrant rulers. Timoleon. a Corinthian statesman. rescued the city state and introduced reforms that were to revolutionise the city and were still in force until the time of Augustus.
Apollo was both a Greek and Roman deity. residing over music. medicine. archery and the sun. He was revered and other gods feared him. His almost feminine image is usual on coins and the laurels he wears were his sacred plant. The flying horse. Pegasus. of Greek mythology was the son of the gorgon. Medusa. and the sea god. Poseidon. He was born from the blood of the beheaded Medusa when she was tricked and killed by Perseus. Pegasus is a popular image on both copper and silver coins from many lands.
Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades between
Uncirculated (U). As struck with no traces of wear
Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear. all parts of legend etc present. visible and clear
Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief. all parts of legend etc present. but maybe worn
Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible
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