Seleucis and Pieria, Marc Antony and Cleopatra VII, Tetradrachm
PLEASE NOTE: this collector's item is unique. We therefore cannot guarantee its availability over time and recommend that you do not delay too long in completing your purchase if you are interested.
Diademed and draped bust of Cleopatra VII right.
Bare head of Marc Antony right.
Tetradrachm representing the famous couple formed by Cleopatra VII, last queen of Egypt, and Mark Antony, one of the triumvirs, a close associate of Caesar and enemy of Octavian. Our example features a damaged, grainy flan, fissured on the obverse and covered with marks on both sides. The estimated minting date of our coin, 36 BC, is not anodyne: this is the year in which Mark Antony allied himself with Egypt to fight the Parthians. Despite the disaster this campaign represented, it solidified Mark Antony's power in the East and his bond with Cleopatra. At odds with Octavian, the deterioration in their relationship was further marked by the fact that Mark Antony, married to Octavia, sister of the future Augustus, abandoned her to join Egypt. Moreover, the issue of coins bearing the names and/or portraits of the two lovers - such as our tetradrachm - was a further affront to Octavian, who wanted to avenge his sister. From 32 BC onwards, war was declared on Cleopatra, whom Octavian judged to be an enemy of Rome and responsible for Marc Antony's behavior. The Battle of Actium in 31 BC was the final blow for the two lovers. Taking refuge in Egypt, Marc Antony finally committed suicide the following year, closely followed by Cleopatra. Our copy, although very worn, still shows Cleopatra's bust on the obverse, whose facial features are strongly reminiscent of those of Marc Antony. This choice testifies to the alliance between the two. While Cleopatra shows the need for Marc Antony's support by taking on his physical features, the reverse is also true: she is represented on the obverse, as the issuer and therefore in possession of power.
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14.31 gr
Silver
Silver can fall into your pocket but also falls between copper and gold in group 11 of the periodic table. Three metals frequently used to mint coins. There are two good reasons for using silver: it is a precious metal and oxidizes little upon contact with air. Two advantages not to be taken for granted.
Here is thus a metal that won’t vanish into thin air.
It’s chemical symbol Ag is derived from the Latin word for silver (argentum), compare Ancient Greek ἄργυρος (árgyros). Silver has a white, shiny appearance and, to add a little bit of esotericism or polytheism to the mix, is traditionally dedicated to the Moon or the goddess Artemis (Diana to the Romans).
As a precious metal, just like gold, silver is used to mint coins with an intrinsic value, meaning their value is constituted by the material of which they are made. It should be noted that small quantities of other metals are frequently added to silver to make it harder, as it is naturally very malleable (you can’t have everything) and thus wears away rapidly.
The first silver coins probably date back to the end of the 7th century BC and were struck on the Greek island of Aegina. These little beauties can be recognized by the turtle featured on the reverse.
The patina of silver ranges from gray to black.
The millesimal fineness (or alloy) of a coin indicates the exact proportion (in parts per thousand) of silver included in the composition. We thus speak, for example, of 999‰ silver or 999 parts of silver per 1 part of other metals. This measure is important for investment coins such as bullion. In France, it was expressed in carats until 1995.
