With Hercules on the obverse
A rare gold coin was found in an ancient necropolis in Italy.
August 10, 12:02
Archaeologists have uncovered a rare Syracusan gold coin from the 5th century BC in the necropolis of Maddalusa, located near Agrigento in Sicily. This important artifact was found during excavations of a Greek burial covered with tiles, in coastal dunes west of the mouth of the Akragas River. The coin is dated to the last decades of the 5th century BC and belongs to a series of gold coins minted in Syracuse during the Carthaginian invasion of Sicily in the late 5th century BC.
The obverse of the coin depicts the head of Hercules facing left, clad in the Nemean lion's skin. The reverse features a four-part square incused symbol surrounding a small female head, along with the inscription "Syracus." These coins were minted to finance military campaigns when Syracuse allied with Akragas in the fight against Carthaginian forces. It is known that in 406 BC, Carthaginian armies captured and destroyed Akragas after a prolonged siege.
Archaeological research
The necropolis of Maddalusa extends for over three kilometers along the coastline and was used from the early 6th century BC to the late 5th century BC. Archaeological research in this necropolis has been conducted since the 19th century. Among the burials, the following have been discovered:
- marble and calcarenite sarcophagi
- tile-covered tombs
- stone-lined graves
- cremation burials
- infants in ceramic vessels
All discoveries are housed in the Regional Archaeological Museum Pietro Griffo in Agrigento.
Furthermore, a sunken Roman ship with hundreds of amphorae was previously discovered off the coast of Sicily. This ship was found approximately three nautical miles from Mazara del Vallo at a depth of 46 meters. Most of the amphorae belonging to the sunken ship are of the Dressel 1A type. The discovery of the coin and the sunken vessel highlights the rich historical context of Sicily in ancient times and the importance of this territory in the ancient world.
The finding of the gold coin in the necropolis of Maddalusa emphasizes the historical significance of Sicily as an important economic and cultural center in antiquity. It also illustrates how archaeological research can unveil new chapters of history and provide a better understanding of the political and social processes of that time. Such discoveries can contribute to the development of tourism and interest in the history of the region.
Interestingly, archaeological finds in Sicily are not limited to just coins. For instance, a round mausoleum was recently uncovered in Perperikon, which also has great historical significance. These discoveries testify to the rich cultural heritage of the region and its importance in antiquity.