SICILY. Leontini. Approximately 450-440 BC. Tetradrachm (silver, 26 mm, 17.31 g, 7 h). Laureate head of Apollo to right. Rev. 的E-O-NTI-NO-N Head of a ion with open jaws to right; around, four barley grains. Boehringer, coin history, 35 (same obverse die). HGC 2, 667. Rizzo pl. XXIII, 5 (same obverse die) and 6 (s same reverse die). SNG ANS 221 (same this). Lightly toned and with a wonderful head of Apollo of fine style. Minor areas of weakness, otherwise, about extremely fine. Ex Leu 17, 31 May 2025, 44, and previously from the collection of Dr. med. Cora Flinsch (1920-2022), formed since the 1970s. As one of the few Greek cities in Sicily not located by the sea, Leontini holds a unique place in the island的s ancient geography. Originally a Sicel settlement, it was captured and colonized by settlers from Naxos as early as 729 BC. This was due to its strategic position on a hill, which commanded the fertile plain to the north - one of the few such areas on the island. Owing to its proximity to Syracuse, the history of Leontini is inextricably linked to that of Sicily, the most powerful city. Periods of independence alternated with phases of Syracusean dominance. The city's emblem was the lion (gr. λωων), from which its name was derived. In keeping with Greek tradition, the king of beasts was also featured on the city's magnificent coins, whichrank among the most striking in Sicily. This is exemplified by our remarkable tetradrachm, minded around the mid-5th century BC, showcasing the finest early Classical style. This lot cannot be shipped to a US address.