Ancient Greek Sicily Syracuse Artemis Copper Hemilitron, 289-287 BC

Description

Denomination: AE17 or copper hemilitron

Period: Time of the Fourth Democracy or Interregnum 

Date: 289-287 BC

Origin: Syracuse. Sicily

Condition: VF 

Obverse: Draped bust of Artemis Soteira. right. quiver over shoulder. [SWTEIRA] in Greek lettering downward to right

Reverse: Winged thunderbolt; SYRAKOSION in Greek lettering above and below

Size and Weight: 17mm. 4.17g

References: Sear 1200. BMC 422

Features and Provenance: Our coin was issued about 289 BC. At that time. Greece was not one country but made up of many kingdoms. The tyrant Agathokles made himself king of Sicily previously. but had just died. and there was a period without a ruler. the interregnum. The head of Artemis Soteira on the obverse may have been a plea for salvation as the Soteira part of the name is an expression for ‘Saviour.’ Artemis being the god of the moon. hunting. archery and virginity. Not a year later they were under the control of yet another tyrant. maybe the thunderbolt on the reverse of the coin was apt!

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