Islands off Caria, Tetradrachm, ca. 380-350 BC
Kos - Silver - EF(40-45)
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Bearded head of Herakles in lion skin headdress left.
Crab, club and magistrate name below, all within incuse square made of dots.
Tetradrachm struck on the Chian standard under the magistracy of Dion during the Second Athenian Confederation, of which Kos was certainly a member. Our specimen shows the head of Heracles, mature, wearing his signature lion skin headdress. Despite traces of wear, we can still make out the hero's features and the elements forming the lion's mane. As for the reverse, it features the crab characteristic of the city of Kos, with the ethnic inscribed above and the club below. Only two sides of the incuse square composed of dots are present, and the magistrate's name, ΔΙΩΝ, is partly off-field. Despite this, the crab and the ethnic are perfectly visible. We also note the absence of what is interpreted as a silkworm between the crustacean's two chelae. Both types of dies, with and without the insect, seem to have existed at the same time and were certainly engraved by the same mint. According to Håkon Ingvaldsen's thesis, our tetradrachm belongs to the sixth issue in which we see a domination of strikes in the name of magistrate Dion. It is also the last type of tetradrachm on this standard to feature the crab, as it is being replaced by the head of a veiled woman. Despite traces of wear, very interesting coin! Ingsvaldsen, issue VI, 15b (O8/R15) (this coin); HNO Coin type no. 1824 var. (temporary); Pozzi 2650 and Boston 2017. Ex Vinchon, 26 April 1999, lot 201. Faune d'Argent Collection.
ΚΩΙΟΝ / ΔΙΩΝ
14.48 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.
