Sicily

Hieron I, Tyrant of Syracuse 478-466 BC

V140/R208,  Mint State

Charioteer, holding kentron and reins, driving slow quadriga right; Nike flying to right above, crowning horses. Rev. Head of Arethusa right, wearing earring, necklace and headband, her hair tied in a krobylos; four dolphins around. Boehringer – V140/R208. Mint State; exceptional metal quality and perseveration for a Syracusan tetradrachm of this period. Die pairing not recorded by Boehringer.

Following the Battle of Himera in 480 BC, Syracuse had been unchallenged in Sicily. The rein of Hieron therefore was characterized by a period of great expansion in the power and prestige of Syracuse.