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SICILY. Syracuse.
Ruler: Philistis, wife of Hieron II, 275-215 BC.
Denomination: 16 Litrai or Tetradrachm
Mint: Syracuse circa 218/7-215 BC
Obverse: Diademed and veiled bust of Philistis to left; to right, grain ear.
Reverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΑΣ - ΦΙΛΙΣΤΙΔΟΣ Nike driving quadriga galloping to right, holding reins in both hands; above, KI; below the horses, thunderbolt.
Literature: HGC 2, 1554.
Provenance: ex collection Dr. Hans Maag = Ex Auktion Blaser Frey XIX, 1968, lot no. 1071.
Note: Philistis, known only though this coinage, is believed to be daughter of the influential Syracusan Leptines. She played a pivotal role in the political landscape of ancient Syracuse through her marriage to Hieron II. After Hieron, a former mercenary in Pyrrhos of Epirus' army, took control of Syracuse in 275 BC, he solidified his position by marrying Philistis, aligning himself with the city's elite. This union was further symbolized by the issuance of coinage in her name after Hieron was proclaimed king in 265 BC. These coins, influenced by Ptolemaic Egypt's artistic styles, depicted Philistis with a veiled head, reminiscent of Egyptian queens like Arsinoe II and Berenice II. This numismatic practice not only reflects the cultural intersections of the Hellenistic period but also underscores Philistis' elevated status in the realm of royal iconography, illustrating her significance in both Syracusan and broader Mediterranean politics.
Collezione : 17 Greek Tetradrachms and staters