Syracuse Didrachm of Gelon I – Arethusa & Horseman (Replica, 491–478 BC)

This replica is based on the early silver didrachms of Syracuse, minted during the rule of Gelon I, one of Sicily’s most influential Greek leaders (491–478 BC). These coins belong to the Archaic phase of Syracusan coinage and represent the cultural and military rise of the city before the later democratic period.

Obverse:
The coin features the head of the nymph Arethusa, protector of Syracuse, shown in the distinctive Archaic style with braided hair and large almond-shaped eye. She is surrounded by three dolphins, symbolizing Syracuse’s strong maritime identity and its connection to the sea that shaped the city’s wealth and power.

Reverse:
The reverse shows a horseman riding right, holding a kylix (drinking cup). This image celebrates the strength of Syracuse’s elite cavalry, which played a decisive role in Gelon’s victories — including the famous Battle of Himera (480 BC), where Syracuse helped defeat the Carthaginian invasion of Sicily.

Historical Context:
This coin type was minted during the Deinomenid tyranny, a period when Syracuse became the dominant Greek power in Sicily. Gelon transformed the city into a major Mediterranean force, importing artisans, expanding trade, and building one of the strongest cavalry units in the Greek world.
These early didrachms are among the first major silver issues of Syracuse and set the artistic foundation for the city’s later Classical masterpieces.