This replica coin reproduces a silver didrachm struck in the city of Gela, Sicily, between 490–475 BCE. Gela, a powerful city of Magna Graecia, issued coinage that celebrated its natural resources and military prowess. The designs of its early coinage are considered masterpieces of Archaic Greek art.
Historical Background: Sicily in the 5th century BCE was a wealthy and strategically important region, home to Greek colonies that rivaled the power of mainland cities. Gela, founded by colonists from Rhodes and Crete, took its name from the nearby river Gelas, a vital source of life and fertility for the city. Its coinage reflects both its religious devotion to river gods and its cavalry elite, who played a central role in its military strength.
Design & Symbolism:
Obverse (Front): Features the man-headed bull, a representation of the river-god Gelas. The combination of human head and bull’s body symbolized fertility, strength, and the life-giving river that sustained the city.
Reverse (Back): Shows a horseman charging with a spear, symbolizing aristocratic prestige and military power. Horses were closely tied to wealth and dominance in Sicilian Greek society.
