Sicily Syracuse. Fifth democracy, 214-212 BC. 16 Litrae 214-212 BC. Laureate head of Zeus left / Fast quadriga driven right by Nike holding reins in both hands and kentron in left. Below the horses’ forelegs: ΞA. 13,58g. AMB 539 (same dies); Burnett, SNR 62, pl. 8, D3 (same dies); Gulbenkian 358 (same dies); Kraay-Hirmer 145. Extremely rare and among the finest specimens known. A spectacular portrait of the finest Hellenistic style. Good extremely fine. Provenance: Dr. Patrick Tan Collection. Gemini VII (9 January 2011), 191. NAC 116 (1 october 2019), 58. This coin was issued during a period of great turmoil for Syracuse. In 214 BC, while the Second Punic War was raging and Hannibal was defeating every Roman army he encountered, the tyrant of Syracuse, Hieronymos, decided to break his alliance with Rome and side with Hannibal. As an immediate consequence, the city was besieged by the Roman legions and Hieronymos was overthrown. The Fifth Democracy was subsequently established, but the city did not abandon its alliance with Hannibal and eventually fell in 212 BC, despite the formidable defenses devised by Archimedes, its most famous citizen. Throughout this troubled period, the mint continued to operate. The 16-litrae piece was the largest denomination issued during this period. The figure of Nike on the reverse echoes the hope of the Syracusans that they might prevail over the Roman legions.