SICILY, Syracuse. Agathokles. 317-289 BC. AR Tetradrachm (26mm, 17.15 g, 2h). Struck circa 317-310 BC. NGC AU, 5/5, 4/5, Fine Style, edge scuff.

Triton XXIX
Lot: 65. Estimated: $ 4 000

Greek, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 16 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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SICILY, Syracuse. Agathokles. 317-289 BC. AR Tetradrachm (26mm, 17.15 g, 2h). Struck circa 317-310 BC. Head of Arethousa left, wearing wreath of grain ears, triple-pendant earring, and pearl necklace; three dolphins around, NI below neck / Charioteer, wearing long chiton, holding kentron in extended right hand, reins in left, driving fast quadriga left; counterclockwise triskeles above, ΣYPAKOΣIΩN and A in exergue. Ierardi 40 (O7/R23); BAR Issue 2; HGC 2, 1348; SNG ANS 639 (same dies); Boston MFA 460 = Warren 402 (same obv. die); Hirsch 660 (same obv. die). Attractively toned. In NGC encapsulation 8559239-001, graded AU, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5, Fine Style, edge scuff.

From the G.W. Trow Collection. Ex Exceptional Collection (Numismatica Ars Classica 134, 21 November 2022), lot 201.

Agathokles was born in Himera circa 361 BC, the son of a potter who moved the family to Syracuse in the 340s BC. Tiring of his father's trade, Agathokles became a soldier and quickly established himself as an able leader. Agathokles seized power at the head of a mercenary army in a bloody coup in 317 BC. Over the next few years, he strengthened his army and created a formidable navy, and used them to expand his power base throughout Sicily. This inevitably led him into conflict with Carthage, which still controlled territory in western Sicily. The war lasted from 311-306 BC and only resulted in each side becoming more entrenched in their respective parts of Sicily, with the border between them established along the Halycus River. In 304 BC, imitating the famous Diadochs in the east, Agathokles declared himself king of Sicily, though his power only extended across the eastern part of the island. His later years were more concerned with the consolidation of his power than with expansion. Seeing that none of his progeny could effectively rule in his place, in 289 BC, upon his death bed, Agathokles restored the Syracusan democracy.

The coinage of Syracuse during Agathokles' reign saw a flowering of new types and denominations. While he retained some of the traditional Syracusan types, such as the head of Arethousa surrounded by dolphins, many of his coins presented new types that were more in line with the royal issues throughout the Greek kingdoms to the east. Herakles, Apollo, and Athena were commonly found on his issues, and he even issued an unprecedented series of electrum, a metal that had not been used before at Syracuse. As would be expected, his final phase of coinage saw the royal title used for the first time on coins of Syracuse, a trend that continued on many issues under the city's subsequent monarchs.

The final winners of all Triton XXIX lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 13-14 January 2026.

Triton XXIX – Session One – Lot 1-301 will be held Tuesday morning, 13 January 2026 beginning at 9:00 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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