Akragas in Sicily, 425-406 BC., Tetras, Calciati 54.
Akragas / Agrigentum in Sicily, 425-406 BC.,
Æ 20 / Tetras (20 mm / 6,07 g), bronze, axes medal alignment ↑↑ (ca. 0°),
Obv.: AKPA, eagle with spread wings perched right on hare, legend downward behind eagle.
Rev.: crab, value mark three(?) pellets [plus crayfish ?] below.
Calciati I, p. 182 no. 54 ; SNG ANS 1040 ; SNG Cop 76 ; cf. Westermark, Fifth 4 .
Akragas was founded at 581 BC. by people from Gela, Rhodes, Crete and other islands. Since the mid of the 7C BC, however, the site was frequented by Geloan traders. The name of the city was after the river Akragas. The crab (fresh water crab of the species Telphusa fluvialitis), which is used on coins of the city, is generally believed to be a symbol of the river god Akragas. The other symbol on Akragantine coins is the (sea) eagle, the sacred animal of Zeus.