-
Inventory:
1 In Stock
- Product ID: 52858
Checkout
The Siculo-Punic Sicily AR Tetradrachm, minted between 320 and 300 B.C., is a significant piece of numismatic history from the time when the island of Sicily was under Carthaginian control. The coin was struck during the period of the Siculo-Punic domination, reflecting the unique fusion of Punic and Greek cultures that occurred in the cities of Sicily under Carthaginian influence. The city of Panormos (modern-day Palermo) was one of the key Carthaginian-controlled regions, and it became a major minting center during this time. This tetradrachm embodies the political and cultural blending of the Carthaginian, Greek, and local traditions on the island. As a high-value coin, the tetradrachm was used for large-scale transactions, military payments, and diplomatic gifts, marking it as a key element in the economy of the region during a period of shifting power dynamics between Greek colonies and the Carthaginian Empire.
The obverse of the Siculo-Punic Sicily AR Tetradrachm features an elegant image of Persephone, the Greek goddess of the underworld and spring. Persephone’s depiction is graceful, with her idealized face and flowing hair, conveying a sense of both divine beauty and strength. She is typically shown wearing a crown, signifying her role as a queen in the realm of the dead, and sometimes holding a sheaf of wheat or a pomegranate, symbols associated with her myth. Persephone’s role as a fertility goddess and her connection to the seasonal cycle made her an important figure in the religious life of the Greek colonies, and her inclusion on the coin reflects the city’s desire to invoke divine protection and favor. As Persephone was a central figure in the agricultural practices of ancient Greece, her presence on the coin could also symbolize prosperity and the agricultural wealth that Sicily enjoyed during this period. The incorporation of Persephone’s image on a Carthaginian-controlled coin demonstrates how the Punic rulers of Sicily adopted and blended local religious symbols with their own, bridging cultural and religious divides through imagery.
The reverse of the coin depicts a horse’s head, a powerful and dynamic image that reflects the importance of horses in the ancient Mediterranean world, both as symbols of military strength and as valuable assets for agriculture and transportation. The horse was a highly prized animal in Sicily and the Mediterranean, associated with war, heroism, and nobility. The horse’s head is presented in a highly detailed manner, capturing the animal’s muscular build and regal profile. This particular coin’s focus on the horse’s head likely alludes to the prominence of cavalry in the military forces of the Carthaginians and their allies, who utilized cavalry units extensively in warfare. In addition to military symbolism, the horse could also be a representation of wealth and prestige, as only the wealthy elite could afford to maintain a stable of horses. The pairing of Persephone with the horse’s head on the reverse reinforces the connection between divine protection, fertility, and military prowess, a theme that would have resonated with the citizens and rulers of the city during this period of Carthaginian dominance in Sicily.
The mint of this coin was likely located in the city of Panormos, which was one of the primary centers of Carthaginian power in western Sicily during the 4th and 3rd centuries B.C. Panormos, with its strategic location on the coast, was a vital port city and a hub for both trade and military activity. The Carthaginians had established control over much of western Sicily, and Panormos became a critical center for administration, commerce, and military logistics. The mint at Panormos was known for producing high-quality silver coins, including tetradrachms like this one, which circulated widely not only in Sicily but also in the broader Mediterranean region. The city’s coinage was an important tool for maintaining economic stability and facilitating trade, as well as asserting Carthaginian authority in the face of competition from Greek city-states and other regional powers.
The coinage of the Siculo-Punic period was a key element of Carthaginian rule in Sicily, and the Siculo-Punic Sicily AR Tetradrachm is a fine example of how the Carthaginians adapted Greek-style coinage to reflect their own values and symbols. The Carthaginians, although they were originally from the Phoenician city-state of Tyre, had long been influenced by Greek culture through their interactions with the Greek colonies in Sicily and southern Italy. During the 4th century B.C., the Carthaginian Empire sought to maintain control over its Sicilian territories, while also adopting certain Greek cultural practices. The use of Greek deities like Persephone on the coinage reflects the synthesis of Carthaginian and Greek religious beliefs. At the same time, the Punic military symbol of the horse’s head reinforces the Carthaginians’ focus on their military might and their reliance on cavalry. This synthesis of Greek and Punic elements in the coin’s design demonstrates the cultural adaptation and political strategy employed by the Carthaginians as they sought to maintain control over Sicily while appealing to both local Greek populations and their own Carthaginian subjects.
The mintage of the Siculo-Punic Sicily AR Tetradrachm was likely significant, given its role in facilitating high-value transactions in trade and military exchanges. While it is difficult to determine the exact number of coins struck, it is likely that the minting of these tetradrachms was done on a fairly large scale, as they would have been essential for facilitating trade between the Carthaginian-controlled western part of Sicily and the Greek cities in the east, as well as with other Mediterranean trading partners. The tetradrachm, being a higher denomination coin, would have been used for larger-scale transactions, such as paying mercenaries, purchasing luxury goods, or making tribute payments to other cities or powers. The production of tetradrachms in Panormos reflects the city’s wealth and the central role it played in the Carthaginian administration of Sicily during the 4th century B.C.
The condition of the Siculo-Punic Sicily AR Tetradrachm is graded as ChVF (Choice Very Fine), indicating that it has been well-preserved despite its age and use. The obverse, featuring the image of Persephone, retains significant detail, particularly in the goddess’s facial features and flowing hair. While some wear is present on the high points, especially on the goddess’s crown and the details of her face, the design remains clear and distinct. The reverse, with the horse’s head, is also well-preserved, with the animal’s features still clearly visible, although there is some minor wear to the high points of the design. The coin’s edges are intact, and the inscriptions around the images remain legible, further enhancing the overall quality of the piece. The ChVF grade suggests that the coin has been carefully preserved over the centuries, allowing its key features and symbolism to remain clearly visible and easily recognizable.
The artistic quality of the Siculo-Punic Sicily AR Tetradrachm is notable for its fine detailing and balance between Greek and Punic elements. The depiction of Persephone is beautifully rendered, with her idealized profile and graceful features conveying both her divine nature and her role as a protector of fertility and prosperity. The horse’s head on the reverse is equally well-executed, with the fine details of the animal’s muscular structure and regal posture capturing the strength and power associated with cavalry. The contrast between the serene image of Persephone and the dynamic, forceful image of the horse’s head creates a powerful visual narrative of divine protection and earthly strength. The craftsmanship of the mint at Panormos, where this coin was struck, is evident in the fine rendering of both figures, demonstrating the high standards of artistry in Carthaginian-controlled Sicily.
The pairing of Persephone with the horse’s head on the coin offers a compelling reflection of the political and cultural identity of the Carthaginian-controlled territories in Sicily. Persephone, as a symbol of fertility and divine favor, ties the city to its agricultural wealth and its reliance on natural resources. The horse’s head, representing military strength and cavalry, highlights the importance of the Carthaginian military presence on the island. Together, these symbols communicate a message of balance between divine protection and military might, suggesting that Selinus’ power and prosperity were secured both by the favor of the gods and by the strength of its armies. This blending of agricultural and military imagery speaks to the dual nature of Carthaginian rule in Sicily, where divine forces and human strength worked in tandem to secure the city’s position in the Mediterranean world.
In conclusion, the Siculo-Punic Sicily AR Tetradrachm, minted between 320 and 300 B.C., is a remarkable example of the fusion of Greek and Punic artistic and religious traditions in the coinage of Sicily. The design, featuring Persephone on the obverse and the horse’s head on the reverse, reflects both the city’s connection to divine protection and its military strength. The coin’s high-quality craftsmanship and its relatively well-preserved condition, graded as ChVF, make it a valuable artifact for collectors and historians alike. The Siculo-Punic Sicily AR Tetradrachm offers valuable insights into the cultural, religious, and military identity of Carthaginian-controlled Sicily during a critical period in Mediterranean history.