A guide to the principal gold and silver coins of the ancients ...

B.C. 700-480. 17
30. Messana. JR. 06w. Head of lion, facing. i2eu. M ESSEN ION.
Calfs head. Wt. 267-1 grs.
After the taking of Miletus, B.C. 494, a band of Samians
sailed to Sicily, and under the advice of Anaxilaus of
Khegium seized the city of Zancle. Anaxilaus soon afterwards
sent a mixed colony to Zancle, and changed its name
to Messana. The Samian types of this coin show that it
dates from this period, circ. b.c. 490-480.
31. NaxUS. JR, 06r. Head of Dionysus, with pointed beard and long
hair, wearing ivy-wreath. Hev. N AX ION. Bunch of grapes.
Wt. 87-2 grs.
Naxus was conquered by Hippocrates of Gela, in B.C.
498. The earliest coins of this city of iEginetio weight
are anterior to this conquest.
32. Segesta. JR. Obv. Hound looking back ; above, shell, murex. Rev.
ZECEZTAIIB (= 2€76(rTo07j for 2€7e(rToir7). Head of Trojan
damsel Segesta. Wt. 127-3 grs.
This city was said to have been founded by Egestus
(the Acestes of Yirgil), the son of Segesta, by the rivergod
Crimissus, who appeared to her in the form of a dog.
33. Selinus. ,51. Ohv, Selinon-leaf. Rev. Incuse square of twelve
divisions, the alternate ones deeper. Wt. 128 grs.
This city derived its name from the plant selinon
(parsley), which grew there in abundance.
34. Syracuse. JR. Ohv. 5VRA. Quadriga. Rev. Incuse square,
divided into four quarters ; in the centre an incuse circle contains
a female head of archaic style. Wt. 267-4 grs.
This tetradrachm belongs to the time of the oligarchy
of the Geomori, who ruled Syracuse before Gelon became
tyrant there in B.C. 485.
35. Syracuse. M. Obv. ZYRAQOZION. Female head, of fine
archaic style, surrounded by four dolphins. Rev. Quadriga, above
which Nike alighting upon the yoke, and placing her hand upon the
head of one of the horses. Wt. 263-6 grs.
The delicate work of this coin is extremely remarkable
for the time (the reign of Gelon, b.c 485-478) to which it
belongs. The head surrounded by dolphins is that of the
nymph Arethusa. The Olympian victory of Gelon is
commemorated here, as at Gela, by the Victory, who
crowns the horses of the chariot.