Coin: Litra, Syracuse

This Greek coin is a Litra (similar to an Obol) from Syracuse in Sicily. Sicily, as well as Italy, was part of Magna Graecia (Great Greece) that had Greek colonies. When the coin was struck is unknown. The obverse is a profile of Arethusa wearing a diadem of beads. Arethusa had been bathing in the waters of the river god Alpheus. Alpheus pursued her and Arethusa called on Artemis, Greek god of the hunt and protector of the young, to save her. The goddess took her to Ortygia, where Syracuse was founded, and transformed her into a fountain where she still gushes forth. To the right of Arethusa are the letters ΣΥΡΑ (Sigma Upsilon Rho Alpha) (the Upsilon in its V form and the Rho in its rare R form) denoting it is from Syracuse. The reverse is a cuttle-fish.