Description: Archaios Numismatics __________________________________________ Description: Bronze Coin (Onkia) of Gela, in Sicily , Circa 420-405 BC. Obverse: Horned head of river god Gelas right with flowing hair as if in the water, barley grain behind Reverse: Bull butting right; leaf above; pellet (as mark of value) in exergue; [GELAS above]; all within dotted circle Mint: Gela, Sicily Size: 11 mm Weight: 1.35 g Ref: SNG Cop -- ; HGC 2, 383 Inventory:1909.33.16 Condition: VF/aVF, Really nice example on this fascinating and VERY RARE coin (rarity R2 per HGC) ! Use the Picture as your judge as grading is subjective. Notes: Gela (Gelas) was an ancient greek city founded by colonists from Rhodes and Crete in 688 BC and named for the local river of the same name. Gela flourished and after only a century, a group of Geloi founded the colony of Agrigento. Gela became the most influential polis in Sicily between the 7th and 6th centuries and was also famously the place where the greek tragedy playwright Aeschylus lived and died in 456 BC. Tyrants: The city was frequently ruled during its known history by tyrants. First noted is the tyrant Cleander who ruled Gela between 505 BC and 498 BC. After his death, power transferred to his brother Hippocrates, who conquered Callipoli, Leontini, Naxos, Hergetios and Zancles (present-day Messina). Only Syracuse managed to escape the Gelese expansion. Hippocrates defeated the Syracusan army at the Heloros river and besieged the city but was convinced to retreat in exchange for possession of Camarina. The tyrant died in 491 in a battle against the Siculi, the native Sicilian people. he city next was ruled by tyrant Gelon and his brother Hieron from 484 to 478 BC followed by brother Polyzelos. Democracy Restored The period after Polyzelos is uncertain for a time and it is believed the citizens may have freed themselves from the tyrants and ruled as a democracy as many of the Geloi returned from exile in Syracuse in this period, and the city regained part of its power by 415. In 406 the Carthaginians conquered Gelian colony Agrigento and destroyed it and attacked Gela. Help of Dionysius I of Syracuse did not arrive in time to save Gela and, after heroic deeds, Gela was ruined and its treasures sacked in 405 BC and many survivors took refuge in Syracuse. Excerpts taken from Head Hist. Num., and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia We Thank You for stopping in and taking time to look at and bid on our listings. Good Luck Bidding or Buying ! We encourage you to click the "See other items" link above in the "Seller Information" area of the listing as well to check out our other items posted. We have a variety of great classical and other ancient numismatic items available. We will be regularly continuing to post for sale and auction a wide variety of Ancient Roman, Greek, and Eastern coins as well as Medieval, Byzantine, and some Modern coins as well. We can combine shipping if buying or winning multiple items. Just contact us before you pay and let us know and we will gladly send an updated invoice with the combined shipping amount. You can also follow us to be notified when new listings are posted. With over 20 years in the numismatics hobby we continue to revel in the excitement that comes from holding each new small piece of history in our hands. We enjoy the enduring sense of history both of the prior uses and users as well as the creativity and necessity that surround the time and place at which these coins were minted and used in circulation. Our aim is to cater not just to the high end collector but also to the hobbyist and the newly initiated and those on a limited budget. Everyone starts the hobby somewhere and where we can share our knowledge to help inform or jumpstart your collecting pleasure we will aim to do so. We want you to love every purchase you make with us and we always stand by the quality and authenticity of all the coins we are selling.
Price: 130 USD
Location: Seattle, Washington
End Time: 2023-12-11T21:48:20.000Z
Shipping Cost: 3 USD
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Composition: Bronze
Era: Ancient
Historical Period: Greek (450 BC-100 AD)
