Hexas

Historical Context: This bronze Hexas from Eryx dates to 410-400 BC, a period of intense conflict in Sicily known as the Second Sicilian War. Eryx, an Elymian city strategically located in western Sicily, found itself caught between the encroaching Carthaginian power and the Greek cities, particularly Syracuse. The issuance of this local bronze coinage highlights the city's economic resilience and administrative necessity amidst significant geopolitical upheaval, providing essential currency for daily transactions and local commerce during a turbulent era of sieges and alliances.

Artistry: While no specific engraver is attributed to this humble denomination, the Hexas reflects the Late Classical stylistic school prevalent in Western Sicily. The obverse typically features a finely rendered head of Aphrodite Erycina, the city's patron goddess, often adorned with a diadem or wreath, embodying local religious devotion. The reverse commonly depicts a hound or dog, a frequent motif in Erycian coinage, possibly symbolizing hunting, local fauna, or a specific civic attribute. The design, though modest, showcases competent local craftsmanship.

Technical/Grading: Struck on a 15mm, 2.76g bronze flan, this Hexas often exhibits varying strike quality. High-points susceptible to wear on the obverse include Aphrodite's hair, facial features, and diadem. On the reverse, the hound's head, back, and legs are most vulnerable. Technical strike qualities can range from well-centered and sharp to somewhat off-center or weakly struck, a common characteristic for bronze issues of this period. Flans are typically irregular, and surface preservation is often affected by environmental factors.