SICILY, Akragas. Circa 480/78-470 BC. AR Didrachm (21.5mm, 8.65 g, 7h). Good VF.

Triton XXVII – Session 5
Lot: 5036. Estimated: $ 1 000

Greek, Silver

Sold For $ 1 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Go to Live

SICILY, Akragas. Circa 480/78-470 BC. AR Didrachm (21.5mm, 8.65 g, 7h). Sea eagle standing right / Crab; A below. Westermark, Coinage, Period I, Group IV, 238 (O83/R161); HGC 2, 97; BMC 32 = Jenkins pl. 37, 20 (same dies, with clashing). Lightly toned, edge split, some die wear, struck with clashed obverse die (see Westermark vol. I, p. 56). Good VF.

From the Pythagoras Collection.

Colonists from Gela founded Akragas circa 580 BC on a plateau overlooking the sea. Under the tyrants Phaleris and Theron, it quickly grew into one of the most prosperous and populous Greco-Sicilian cities. In 473 BC, the people overthrew Theron’s son and established a democracy. From its earliest coinage circa 510 BC, Akragas featured an eagle, sacred to Zeus, backed with an overhead view of a crab, harvested as a delicacy in the region. After the coming of democracy, the crab design was augmented with a number of other attributes.

Closing Date and Time: 17 January 2024 at 10:11:40 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer’s fee.