Sicily, Syracuse. Hieron II (275-215 BC). Drachm

SICILY, Syracuse. Hieron II. 274-216 BC. AV Drachm (4.26 gm). Struck circa 220-217 BC. Head of Persephone left with long flowing hair, head wreathed in grain ears; torch behind / IERWNO[S], charioteer driving biga left, holding kentron in right hand, reins in left; P below horses. Carroccio 39 (D24/R34); cf. SNG ANS 265; SNG Lloyd 1539; cf. SNG Copenhagen 816; Jameson 875 (same dies); cf. Gulbenkian 348; cf. Pozzi 1352; Weber -. Choice VF.

From the James A. Ferrendelli Collection. Ex George & Robert Stevenson Collection (Classical Numismatic Group XXVI, 11 June 1993), lot 40; Numismatic Fine Arts VII (6 December 1979), lot 79; Bement Collection (Ars Classica VI, 1934), lot 546; Henry L. Jewett Collection (S.H. Chapman, Philadelphia, 1909), lot 7.

Carroccio's redating of this series places it just prior to the outbreak of hostilities with the Carthaginians in the Second Punic War. He believes, therefore, that the issue was most likely struck to finance the imminent military conflict, but he notes that it is also possible, based on the fact that the Syracusan economy was flowering just before the war, that it is an issue related to vigorous trade.

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