Sempronia, Denarius, 40 BC
Rome - Fourrée - Silver - EF(40-45) - Crawford:525/4c
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Laureate head of Caesar, right.
Vexillum, aquila, plough and decempeda.
Crawford type denarius 525/4c, struck by Tiberius Semporinus Graccus, with the portrait of Julius Caesar, who had been dead for 4 years. Normally a very rare coin, its reverse is very interesting, depicting a vexillum (a military standard), an aquila (a legion eagle), a plough and a decempeda (a measuring instrument). A Roman of this period could easily understand the references to the plough and the decempeda that Ti. Semporinus makes here: he celebrates his famous ancestry: the Gracchi of the 2nd century BC, of whom he is the homonym, and who were two brothers (Tiberius & Caius) at the origin of very important agrarian laws for the Roman people between the years 140 and 110 BC. As for the military insignia, he was probably referring to the military victories won by his ancestors, including his ancestor Tiberius, whose brother-in-law was Scipio Aemilianus.
S - C
TI·SEMPRONIVS GRACCVS Q·DES
3.55 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 “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.
