Sequani, Helvetii, Statère "à la roue"
2nd-1st century BC - Electrum
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.
Apollonian profile to right, laureate, wreath in two lines of segments, below, hair made up of S-shaped pelleted locks, above, locks also made of pelleted Ss and interlaced crescents. The eye is a triangle with a pearl in the centre, set within what corresponds to the nose. The mouth is made up of two vertical pellets.
Biga left, driver above, wheel beneath, before and behind horse.
An extremely interesting specimen, made from an electrum alloy very depleted in gold, which explains its colour close to that of silver. Despite the scyphate flan, the central designs are very well struck, particularly the portrait. It is therefore regrettable that this shape has created a striking weakness on the periphery of the flan on the reverse. The chariot wheel at right is not visible (or does not exist?). This example is not published in the Delestrée, but we can see a clear similarity to Dt. 3068, a quarter stater, which corresponds very closely to the type of our specimen with this type with the biga to the left and this characteristic type of portrait with the hairstyle and face. We can therefore assume that Dt. 3068 is a reduction of our stater, as are Dt. 3065 and 3066. Some similar examples seen in sales are referenced as Dt. 3067, however it is clear that our portrait is too far from what's illustrated by the Delestrée to coincide. We see in this coin an example of the highest rarity, a stater struck in the Eastern Gaul, which by reduction of the flan gave the Dt. 3068. It is thus part of the ‘wheel’ group, which can be found over a large territory between France (Aube, Doubs, Jura, Haute-Marne), Germany (Baden-Württemberg) and north-western Switzerland, and which can be linked to the products of the Sequanii or Helvetii tribes, although it is not possible to make a definitive attribution.
4.68 gr
An “EF(40-45)” quality
As in numismatics it is important that the state of conservation of an item be carefully evaluated before it is offered to a discerning collector with a keen eye.
This initially obscure acronym comprising two words describing the state of conservation is explained clearly here:
Extremely Fine
This means – more prosaically – that the coin has circulated well from hand to hand and pocket to pocket but the impact on its wear remains limited: the coins retains much of its mint luster, sharp detailing and little sign of being circulated. Closer examination with the naked eye reveals minor scratches or nicks.
