[Homebutton][Shopping Header]

  [Image]       Item Sold At Auction #7
           ----------------------------------
 Web Product ID: 1321
 Estimate: $1,000.00
 Final Sale Price: $759.00
           ----------------------------------
 Denomination: Tetradrachm
 Grade: VF broad flan
 Reference: SNG ANS 245




  Sicily, Leontini. Circa 455-430 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.01 gm). Laureate head of
  Apollo right / LEONTINON, head of roaring lion right, surrounded by four barley
  grains. SNG ANS 245 (same obverse die). VF, broad flan, minor porosity in spots.
  Estimate $1,000.

A major political change took place in the late 460s — the
expulsion of the tyrants and the restoration of democracy. This 
was underlined by the introduction of new coinage with the 
head of Apollo on obverse and a lion's head on reverse. 
Apollo was especially revered at Leontini, as he was at the 
mother city of Naxos where there was a sanctuary of Apollo 
Archegetes. The lion was the emblem of Apollo but probably also
represents a punning allusion to the city name. The surrounding 
barley-grains indicate the fertility of the Leontine territory 
and doubtlessly refer to the local worship of Demeter, the goddess of agriculture.

Used by permission of CNG, www.historicalcoins.com