CVC & Collectables presents this AE Hemilitron of Akragas, struck between 279–241 BC during the Punic Wars period in Sicily. Certified NGC Fine, this issue features a well-rendered portrait of Apollo and the classic dual-eagle reverse associated with the powerful Sicilian city of Akragas. This bronze type is rated R2 (scarce) and displays a dark green patina with attractive ancient surfaces.
Coin Highlights:
- Region / Mint: Akragas (Agrigento), Sicily
- Date: 279–241 BC
- Denomination: AE Hemilitron
- Metal: Bronze
- Weight: Typically 3.52–10.28 g range (varies by die and issue)
- Diameter: Approx. 17 mm (AE 17)
- Grade: NGC Fine
- Obverse: Laureate head of Apollo left; long hair draped behind neck; anepigraphic.
- Reverse: One eagles with outstretched wings standing left, one devouring a hare turned upside down.
- Symbols: This example lacks additional symbols or letters, consistent with several documented varieties.
- Reference Notes: Classified among the diverse Hemilitron issues documented by G. Buceti.
Historical Note:
Akragas was one of the most renowned Greek cities in Sicily, known for its wealth, monumental temples, and influential coinage. By the late 3rd century BC, the city was embroiled in repeated conflicts between the Greeks and Carthaginians during the Punic Wars. Bronze fractional coinage such as this Hemilitron circulated heavily among local populations. The image of an eagle devouring a hare is deeply tied to Akragas’s identity, symbolizing power, dominance, and divine protection.
Greek Sicilian History:
- Period: Late Classical into Punic War era
- Political Environment: Sicily under pressure from Carthaginian expansion, Greek city-state rivalries, and eventual Roman intervention
- Coinage Context: Strong civic iconography; Akragas frequently used eagles, crabs, and deities tied to local tradition
- Legacy: Akragas bronze issues remain important for understanding Sicily’s military and economic dynamics in the 3rd century BC
Collectibility:
Hemilitra from this period are scarce and collected for their bold iconography and connection to Akragas’s final era of independence. With its centered portrait of Apollo and well-defined dual-eagle scene, this NGC Fine example is an excellent representative of the type. Bronze Sicilian fractions with original patina are increasingly sought after by collectors of Greek bronzes, Punic War coinage, and Sicilian civic issues. Find more alike here!
