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SICILY, Syracuse. Gelon, son of Hieron II. 275-215 BC. AR 8 Litrai – Didrachm (20.5mm, 6.69 g, 1h). Diademed head left; star behind neck / Nike driving fast biga right; BA to right, K within legs. CCO 259 (D16/R15); BAR Issue 66; HGC 2, 1561; SNG München 1361 (same dies); Ward 339 (this coin). Old cabinet tone, remnants of find patina, some minor delaminations around edge, a little die wear on obverse, minor mark in field on reverse. Good VF.
Ex Tradart (16 November 1995), lot 29; Glendining (with Empire Coins, 9 October 1989), lot 620; Metropolitan Museum of Art Collection (Part II, Sotheby’s Zurich, 4 April 1973), lot 273; John Ward Collection; Hyman Montagu Collection (Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, 11 December 1894), lot 67 (purchased by W.T. Ready for 2 pounds 18 shillings).
Gelon was the eldest son of Hieron II, king of Syracuse from 275-215 BC. Most references simply list him as Gelon, son of Hieron, but he actually was made king by his father shortly after Hieron was elevated. Although Hieron was the senior ruler, Gelon appears to have had a great latitude of autonomy. The exact dates of his rule as king are not known, but he did die shortly before his father, perhaps even in 216 BC. Gelon was a close friend of the famed Archimedes, who dedicated a treatise, called The Sand Reckoner, to Gelon.
The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 129 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 13-14 May 2025. This lot is in Session One, which will begin 13 May at 9 AM ET.
Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.
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