Description
The Sicily, Syracuse AE Litra from the reign of Hicetas (ca. 288–279/278 BC) is a bronze coin weighing about 10.12 grams and measuring 23 mm, representing the turbulent period following the death of Agathokles when Hicetas ruled as tyrant of Syracuse.
The obverse features a laureate head of Zeus Hellanios facing left, with a trophy or control symbol behind the neck. This type honors Zeus as the patron deity of Mount Etna and protector of Syracuse. The reverse depicts an eagle standing left on a thunderbolt, wings partially spread, with a star or other control mark in the field and the legend ΣYPΑKOΣIΩN (of the Syracusans). The imagery connects divine authority and military power, emphasizing Hicetas’s claim to legitimacy and strength amid conflicts with Carthage and rival Sicilian city-states.
The NGC grade of VF (5/5 for strike, 2/5 for surfaces) indicates a sharply struck piece with moderate wear and some corrosion or patina roughness typical of ancient bronze coins. This makes it a better-than-average collectible with strong design definition despite surface texture.
Auction records show that similar AE litrae of Hicetas, depending on condition and patina, generally sell in the range of $100–$250, with choice examples (like this NGC-certified VF) at the higher end. Well-struck pieces with appealing green patina or clear legends have achieved over 200 USD in major 2025 auctions.
In summary, this Sicily, Syracuse AE Litra (ca. 288–279 BC), NGC graded VF 5/5 – 2/5, is an impressive bronze issue illustrating Zeus and his eagle, symbolizing divine sanction and power during Hicetas’s brief rule. It remains a historically and artistically significant artifact of late Classical Syracuse, valued for its strong strike, ancient patina, and typological importance.
The Sicily, Syracuse AE Litra from the reign of Hicetas (ca. 288–279/278 BC) is a bronze coin weighing about 10.12 grams and measuring 23 mm, representing the turbulent period following the death of Agathokles when Hicetas ruled as tyrant of Syracuse.
The obverse features a laureate head of Zeus Hellanios facing left, with a trophy or control symbol behind the neck. This type honors Zeus as the patron deity of Mount Etna and protector of Syracuse. The reverse depicts an eagle standing left on a thunderbolt, wings partially spread, with a star or other control mark in the field and the legend ΣYPΑKOΣIΩN (of the Syracusans). The imagery connects divine authority and military power, emphasizing Hicetas’s claim to legitimacy and strength amid conflicts with Carthage and rival Sicilian city-states.
The NGC grade of VF (5/5 for strike, 2/5 for surfaces) indicates a sharply struck piece with moderate wear and some corrosion or patina roughness typical of ancient bronze coins. This makes it a better-than-average collectible with strong design definition despite surface texture.
Auction records show that similar AE litrae of Hicetas, depending on condition and patina, generally sell in the range of $100–$250, with choice examples (like this NGC-certified VF) at the higher end. Well-struck pieces with appealing green patina or clear legends have achieved over 200 USD in major 2025 auctions.
In summary, this Sicily, Syracuse AE Litra (ca. 288–279 BC), NGC graded VF 5/5 – 2/5, is an impressive bronze issue illustrating Zeus and his eagle, symbolizing divine sanction and power during Hicetas’s brief rule. It remains a historically and artistically significant artifact of late Classical Syracuse, valued for its strong strike, ancient patina, and typological importance.
The Sicily, Syracuse AE Litra from the reign of Hicetas (ca. 288–279/278 BC) is a bronze coin weighing about 10.12 grams and measuring 23 mm, representing the turbulent period following the death of Agathokles when Hicetas ruled as tyrant of Syracuse.
The obverse features a laureate head of Zeus Hellanios facing left, with a trophy or control symbol behind the neck. This type honors Zeus as the patron deity of Mount Etna and protector of Syracuse. The reverse depicts an eagle standing left on a thunderbolt, wings partially spread, with a star or other control mark in the field and the legend ΣYPΑKOΣIΩN (of the Syracusans). The imagery connects divine authority and military power, emphasizing Hicetas’s claim to legitimacy and strength amid conflicts with Carthage and rival Sicilian city-states.
The NGC grade of VF (5/5 for strike, 2/5 for surfaces) indicates a sharply struck piece with moderate wear and some corrosion or patina roughness typical of ancient bronze coins. This makes it a better-than-average collectible with strong design definition despite surface texture.
Auction records show that similar AE litrae of Hicetas, depending on condition and patina, generally sell in the range of $100–$250, with choice examples (like this NGC-certified VF) at the higher end. Well-struck pieces with appealing green patina or clear legends have achieved over 200 USD in major 2025 auctions.
In summary, this Sicily, Syracuse AE Litra (ca. 288–279 BC), NGC graded VF 5/5 – 2/5, is an impressive bronze issue illustrating Zeus and his eagle, symbolizing divine sanction and power during Hicetas’s brief rule. It remains a historically and artistically significant artifact of late Classical Syracuse, valued for its strong strike, ancient patina, and typological importance.
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