Spain, 3x50 Centimos + 3x5 Pesetas, Madrid
Transformed - Silver - EF(40-45)
This unusual object is an ashtray made up of six Spanish coins minted in Madrid in the 19th century: three 50 Centimos coins and as many 5 Pesetas coins. Two of the three 50 centimos were minted in 1892 and 1904. The date of the third one is not visible due to the soldering.
Issued during the reign of Alfonso XIII, they all feature his portrait, while their flans have been folded into a U-shape. The three coins of 5 Pesetas were minted under the reigns of Amedeo I in 1871, Alfonso XII in 1885 and Alfonso XIII in 1899. The three coins feature the portraits of the kings at the top and have been folded so that their obverse is perfectly concave.
A central weld joins the three Pesetas placed in a triangle and connected at the top of the sovereigns' heads at 12 o'clock. This welded section is decorated with a triangle with serrated edges that follows the border of the three coins. On the reverse, the three flans are linked by a weld on the border at the level of the denomination visible on the reverse: each shield thus points towards the center of the ashtray.
On the reverse, the 50 Centimos coins are welded at the center of their shields to the Pesetas border, at 6 o'clock on the obverse, at the level of the sovereigns' busts and in the same direction as the latter. On the reverse, three slightly flattened, spherical feet are placed at the center of the junction between the shield and the crown above it. These six coins, which vary in condition from very good to extremely good, have a beautiful gray patina.
Their flans, neatly folded, reveal the pattern and inscriptions on the edges, providing a pleasant additional embellishment and complete uniformity to the object. The 5 Pesetas, with their 37mm diameter, make elegant containers for ashes, while the centimos, smaller in size, are ideal to hold cigarettes. Beyond its practicality, this ashtray is a real masterpiece, pleasing to the eye, skilfully crafted and showcasing the coins that enhance them in an unusual way!.
85.28 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.
