Macedonia, Tetradrachm, ca. 480-420 BC
Akanthos - Silver - NGC - AU 5/5-3/5
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.
Lion right, attacking bull crouching left, biting into its hindquarter, fish (tuna ?) left in exergue.
Legend in shallow incuse around quadripartite square in relief.
Graded NGC Ancients AU Strike: 5/5 Surface: 3/5 Fine style. Slight die shift. Attic standard. Very fine specimen, struck on a wide flan, showing the entire beaded circile on the obverse and almost the entire square on the reverse. We note a strong similarity with the observe die D92 (Desneux 92, see Roma Numismatics 28, 222), whether it be the shape of the lion's tail or the way the lion is mounted on the bull. A few notable differences are visible: the distance between the bull's front legs/knees and the length of the bull's left foreleg, which is slightly longer and closer to its abdomen; its ear, lower and less close to the lion's thigh, whose right foreleg is slightly more advanced on the bull's hind thigh. It is possible that this observe die is linked to D92 by a re-engraving after a period of use (note the rather rough fish, and the bull's head). In any case, it seems that the same hand engraved both observe. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 75, 23 May 2007, lot 121. Desneux -- (see Desneux 95-96 and 99 (unlisted dies)); AMNG III/2, 21; SNG ANS --; HGC 3.1, 385; Roma Numismatics 30, 136 (same obverse (and reverse?) die).
AKA-N-ΘIO-N
17.08 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.
