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Sicily, Leontinoi, Tetras

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Sicily, Leontinoi, Tetras (obverse) Sicily, Leontinoi, Tetras (reverse)

This litra bears the head of the god Apollo wearing a laurel wreath on the obverse. The reverse shows a tripod with three handles, and a lyre between the tripods legs. On each side a barleycorn is depicted; below are three pellets of value (1 litra equaled 12 onkiae, and a tetras thus held 3 onkiae).

The quality, the style and the detailed elaboration on the depiction of this small coin are astounding. Its diameter is just about 14 millimeters (0.55 inches). How could such tiny dies be cut? Optical instruments were not yet known at this time. It is unknown today, how such small works of art were made.

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Signet Sunflower Foundation