Greek Coin | Bronze Litra

Made in copper, these coins from the Greek colony of Syracuse, in modern day Sicily, feature a diademed head of Poseidon - God of the seas, storms, earthquakes and horses - whilst the reverse features his iconic Trident flanked by dolphins - another recurring symbol of Poseidon. 

The city of Syracuse is located on the east coast of Sicily and was originally a Greek colony founded by Corinth in 734 B.C. Throughout the centuries, it was an active trading city that took an active role serving as a base for further Greek colonial expansion across the Mediterranean. Given its wealth and strategic location, Syracuse was the target of multiple invasions first by the Carthaginians and ultimately by the Romans who conquered it in 212 BC maintaining the status of the city as capital of the Roman government of Sicily and seat of the praetor.

Ancient Artifacts guarantees the Authenticity of items sold through a three layer system of protection: 

1. Ancient Artifacts exclusively sources artifacts from trusted and reputable antique distributors, many of whom have been selling Artifacts for decades.  
2. Next, the Artifact is inspected by an expert team member, who is professionally trained in counterfeit detection After the artifact passes inspection, the Certificate of Authenticity is signed and the Artifact is packaged. 
3. Finally, Ancient Artifacts gives an additional layer of protection by promising a full refund with no questions asked, in the extremely unlikely event that a counterfeit slips through our vetting process.

Your coin will look very similar to the one shown in the photos. There will always be some variety, given our items are unique historical pieces. The display case included is openable so that you may easily handle and closely observe the artifact.If for whatever reason you get anything that does not fit this description you are entitled to your money back! 

Owning a bronze litra minted in ancient Syracuse is relatively common among collectors due to the city's prominence as a major Greek cultural and economic center. Located on the island of Sicily, Syracuse was one of the wealthiest and most powerful Greek city-states in the Mediterranean. During the 5th and 4th centuries BCE, the city issued a variety of coins, including the bronze litra, which served as smaller denominations for everyday transactions.

These coins were minted in significant quantities to support Syracuse's bustling economy and widespread trade networks. The durable bronze composition of these coins ensured their survival through centuries of circulation, burial, and eventual rediscovery.

Many bronze litrae were preserved as part of coin hoards, buried by individuals for safekeeping during times of war or political upheaval. Others were recovered from archaeological excavations or passed down through generations of collectors. Today, they are readily available through numismatic auctions, dealers, and online marketplaces.