Siculo-Punic Decadrachm Replica – Goddess with Barley Wreath & Pegasus (c. 264–241 BC)

Historical Context
This replica is modeled after a rare Siculo-Punic silver decadrachm struck in Sicily during the First Punic War (264–241 BC). At this time, Carthage still controlled much of western Sicily, even as Rome pushed aggressively into the island. The original coins were minted in Punic-administered cities, reflecting a unique blend of both Greek and Carthaginian culture during a period of intense political and military conflict.

Obverse Description
The obverse features the head of a syncretic goddess, combining elements of Tanit (the chief Carthaginian goddess) and Kore–Persephone, the Greek maiden goddess associated with rebirth, the seasons, and the underworld. This Tanit–Kore–Persephone fusion appears with a barley wreath, symbolizing fertility, agriculture, and the life-giving richness of Sicilian grain. The choice of such a goddess reflects both Carthage’s religious identity and the agricultural importance of Sicily, whose grain was fiercely contested by both empires.

Reverse Description
The reverse shows Pegasus, the winged horse of Greek mythology, soaring in flight. Below Pegasus is the Punic inscription B’RST, meaning “in the land,” a clear statement of Punic authority in Sicily during the war. Pegasus represents speed, divine power, and victory, while the Punic script asserts Carthage’s political presence. The combination of Greek imagery with Carthaginian writing captures the multicultural reality of Sicily at the time.

Cultural Significance
This coin type reflects the hybrid world of Siculo-Punic Sicily, where Greek settlers, Punic rulers, local Sicilians, and foreign mercenaries came into contact. Religious syncretism was common, and the goddess on this coin is one of the clearest examples: a divine figure meant to appeal simultaneously to Greek and Punic audiences. The imagery expresses fertility, protection, legitimacy, and the contested identity of Sicily in the First Punic War.