#G1 Gela (Sicily), Tetradrachm (silver coin replica) 440 - 430 BC.
OBV: Slow quadriga driven r. by charioteer who leans forward, above Nike flying r., crowning the horses, in ex. ΓΕΛΟΙΟΝ (retrograde). 
R: Forepart of man-headed bull r., about to be crowned by nymph Sosipolis on r., who stands facing, looking l., wearing peplos. Original worth c. £4,500.

The goddess Sosipolis was the guardian divinity of the city, often shown crowning the river god Gelas. Gela was founded in 688 by a population including both Cretans and Rhodians. One of its tyrants, Gelon, made himself master of Syracuse at which time he transported a large portion of the city's population to his new capital. This city's prosperity began to wane until 466, when the dynasty of Gelon was expelled from Syracuse and refugees from Gela returned to their native town. The city once again enjoyed considerable prosperity until its destruction by the Carthagians in 405 BC.

Gela is a commune in the province of Caltanissetta, in the island of Sicily, Italy.

Very brief history

Around 688 BC, the city was founded by colonists from Rhodos and Crete, 45 years after Syracuse. The city was named after the river Gela. The Greek had many colonies in the south of current Italy, and for many centuries the Greek influence has been great here. Aischylos died in this city in 456 BC. From Gela, other parts of the island were also hellenized. Much archeological research has been taken place in and around the city and the archaeological museum exhibits many artefacts from the earlier periods of the city's history, among which there are a lot of vases. Both archaeology and writers from the classical period supply excellent sources for information on the earlier history of the city and surroundings.

In 405 BC, the city was sacked by Carthage. It became abandoned in 282 BC.

The later city was founded in AD 1233 by Frederick II by the name Terranova di Sicilia, by which it remained known until 1928.

(Source: WIKIPEDIA)