Hieron II Double Litrai: A Piece Of Ancient Sicily

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Author	Replies: 8 / Views: 632
circusmax120 Valued Member United States 319 Posts	Posted 02/26/2022 10:51 am Just thought I would take another side-step from Rome for a moment and hightlight a coin I acquired because 1. it features an adversary of Rome, 2. has a wonderful portrait, and 3. was minted in ancient Sicily. I was exploring my family ancestry at the time. My father's Sicilian Italian line in particular. So the ancient connection to the island appealed to me. The coin is a double litai, struck sometime between 274 and 215 BCE. Very nice toning only adds to the sharp portrait of the diademed king. Hieron was allied with Carthage during the First Punic War, but eventually was compelled to see the writing on the wall. Signing a treaty with Rome in 263 BCE, he remained loyal to Rome until his death in 215. Edited by circusmax120 02/26/2022 10:52 am Report this Post to the Staff

Kamnaskires Pillar of the Community United States 7066 Posts	Posted 02/26/2022 12:56 pm Lovely coin with a great portrait and super patina. Report this Post to the Staff
Novicius Pillar of the Community United Kingdom 1168 Posts	Posted 02/26/2022 1:25 pm A nicely detailed and very attractive coin, and a superb portrait. Report this Post to the Staff
erafjel Pillar of the Community Sweden 2124 Posts	Posted 02/26/2022 1:34 pm Fantastic portrait! Report this Post to the Staff
Palouche Pillar of the Community Spain 2752 Posts	Posted 02/26/2022 1:38 pm Wonderful portrait Mike!..As you said the toning gives it real depth....Nice movement on the horse/rider too! Report this Post to the Staff
circusmax120 Valued Member United States 319 Posts	Posted 02/26/2022 2:27 pm The blending of art and history in such coins is inspiring to me. Feeling a familial connection (whether real or imagined) only deepens the appreciation. We all admire certain pieces often for reasons that we perhaps do not fully understand ourselves. Which is why I sometimes use the phrase "...speaks to me" to explain why I choose to steward a particular specimen. Any other community members out there who acquired something based on a feeling of kinship? Report this Post to the Staff
Palouche Pillar of the Community Spain 2752 Posts	Posted 02/26/2022 3:39 pm Quote: Any other community members out there who acquired something based on a feeling of kinship? .. Yes this one "called to me"!...Not an area I collect in but the overall look of this coin appealed to me even before I knew what it was. I'm a tool maker by trade so the reverse depiction showing a metal worker hitting and forming a bowl reminded me of the sheet metal workers I spent many years watching in awe of at my company. It was also minted close to where I was born and grew up so it sort of ticked a lot of personal boxes....I hold this coin frequentely! Britannia, Trinovantes & Catuvellauni. Cunobelin. Circa 9-41 AD. AE Unit (2.437 g, 14mm). Obv: Winged head left, CVNO in front, BELIN behind. Rev: Metal worker, presumably the smith god known as Sucellus in parts of Gaul, sitting on a solid seat with a detached upright back, holding an L-shaped hammer in his right hand, left hand holding a metal bowl, there is always a distinct bun of hair behind the smith's head, TASCIO (Tascionus his father) behind, beaded border. Van Arsdell 2097; ABC 2969; SCBC 342. Hobbs 1972-83;..VF. Report this Post to the Staff
travelcoin Pillar of the Community United States 1120 Posts	Posted 02/26/2022 3:46 pm That's a beauty - my collection is about 90% Roman, however, I do like to add adversaries of Rome from time to time. Just watched one of my favorite channels (HistoryMarche)2nd Punic War last night in which Hieron was mentioned not sure what part it was though. e3JPe75W-Eg Report this Post to the Staff
circusmax120 Valued Member United States 319 Posts	Posted 02/26/2022 4:05 pm Wonderful coin, Paul! Kind of interesting how something catches your eye and strikes a chord within. Truly enjoyed your backstory! I hear you, travelcoin. While I tend to stiff-arm the "history" channel offerings on television, I do watch a lot of history-related videos online. I will take note of your 'Hannibal' recommendation. Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 8 / Views: 632

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