Santones, Drachme à la couronne en chevrons, 2nd-1st century BC
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.
Laureate head to right, chubby, within a grenetis.
Horse to right; a triangle (or Δ) between the legs and a pole surmounted by a torque ended with pellets above the croup. Pearl before his head.
This specimen is of the greatest interest and appears to be unpublished! Probably issued by the Santones tribe, but without precise datation (perhaps from the 2nd century BC to the first half of the 1st century), since their coinage includes a series with identical details (Dt. 3630-3633), such as the triangle and the pole with torque (Dt. 3632A & var.) which are dated from the first half of the 1st century BC. However, the types presented in the Delestrée differ from our example. Firstly, the portrait is facing to the right, whereas the illustrated examples are facing to the left, with only a few unpublished varieties facing to the right. But more importantly, the engraving of the published examples or their varieties is much more characteristic of ‘Gallic’ engravings than our example, whose style seems closer to the engravings of coins issued by the Celts of Central Europe, as is the horse. It is therefore preferable to attribute it to the Santon tribe, although this is still debatable, and might be earlier than the Delestrée examples mentioned above, and may be dated from the 2nd century BC. As well as being potentially unique and unpublished, the engraving of this coin is quite remarkable. The strike of the designs on the obverse and reverse were very well centred, and were well struck. Moreover, the coin is in a superb state of preservation, and is most likely the finest specimen of its type. We can also observe the delicacy and quality of the engraving of the portrait, with its typically Celtic traits that simultaneously remind us of the Greek origins of these types.
2.51 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.
An “AU(55-58)” 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:
About Uncirculated(55-58)
This means – more prosaically – that the coin has been in circulation but sufficiently little that its original beauty is preserved almost in its entirety. The wear is barely visible and any other defect can only be identified with a magnifying glass or a particularly keen eye. The number (55-58) indicates that between three quarters and almost all of the original luster remains.
