Greek: SICILY. Syracuse. Hieron II (ca. 275-215 BC). AV decadrachm (16mm, 4.22 gm, 12h). NGC Choice MS 5/5 - 5/5....

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SICILY. Syracuse. Hieron II (ca. 275-215 BC). AV decadrachm (16mm, 4.22 gm, 12h). NGC Choice MS 5/5 - 5/5. Ca. 220-217 BC. Head of Persephone left, wreathed with grain ears; bucranium behind / IEPΩNOΣ, Charioteer driving fast biga galloping left, reins in left hand, kentron in right; A below. HGC 2, 1539 (hemistater or drachm). BMC 518. Well centered strike and flashy surfaces.

From The Cambridge Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Mail Bid Sale 60 (22 May 2002), lot 218; Bank Leu, Auction 33 (3 May 1983), lot 249.

Hieron II was a military adventurer who fell in with the army of Pyrrhus during his great Western expedition of 280 BC. When Pyrrhus pulled out of Syracuse in 275 BC, Hieron remained behind as commander of the garrison. He cannily married Philistis, daughter of a prominent Syracusan noble, and a major victory against the Mamertines in 270 BC convinced the grateful populace to name him King. He reigned for the next 55 years with strength, intelligence, and justice. His gold coinage follows Syracusan tradition, with the wreathed head of Persephone on this lovely piece recalling the coinage of his predecessor Agathocles.

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