Agathocles, Tyrant of Syracuse, Sicily, AR Tetradrachm 317-289 B.C., BMC 378

Description Agathocles ruled the Sicilian city of Syracuse for over 25 years. Agathocles (c. 361–289 BC) rose from humble beginnings as a mercenary to seize power in Syracuse in 317 BC, overthrowing the ruling oligarchs in a bloody coup. Styling himself first as tyrant and, from 304 BC, as “king,” he spent much of his long rule fighting to keep Carthaginian influence out of eastern Sicily. His most audacious move came in 310 BC, when—rather than defend Sicily passively—he ferried an army across the sea and invaded North Africa, threatening Carthage itself. Though this campaign ultimately ended without decisive conquest, it forced Carthage to divert resources, bought Syracuse breathing room, and culminated in a peace that acknowledged Agathocles’ control over much of Greek Sicily. At home, Agathocles shored up his position through land redistributions to loyalists, new settlements, and careful diplomacy with Hellenistic powers—famously aligning with Ptolemy I through marriage. He also understood the power of imagery: Syracuse under Agathocles issued coinage to pay troops and advertise stability, often drawing on familiar local deities such as Persephone and Demeter, as well as symbols of victory like Nike. The result was a hard-edged but durable regime. When he died in 289 BC, Syracuse had survived decades of external pressure and internal factionalism, and his blend of ruthless opportunism and practical statecraft left a lasting imprint on Sicilian politics. Impressions were taken for the original coin to create this replica. Obverse: Head of Persephone Reverse: Nike standing naked to the waist, erecting a trophy Diameter: 26 mm BECKER, BMC 378 Stamped on rim, COPY stamped on reverse Silver plated lead-free pewter, made in the USA Packaged in a coin collecting flip with the description of coin printed on flip insert.