Chalkidian League, Tetradrachm, 420-365 BC
Olynthus - Silver - AU(55-58)
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Laureate head of Apollo, right.
Kithara, ethnic around, all within incuse square.
Attractive, well-centered tetradrachm on the obverse with remaining detail and round flan. A few cracks can be observed on the edge. The kithara illustrated on the reverse is particularly beautiful, with very thin lines. The field has the beginnings of a golden patina and the highest reliefs a grayish-white patina. The broad blank shows most of the iconography with perfect centering, giving the coin an eye-pleasing aspect. Our example was struck on a light Thraco-Macedonian standard by the Chalcidian League, whose capital was Olynthe. This “koinon” was created shortly before the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War. Its aim was to compete with Athens and strengthen its ties with Macedonia, even though Philip II eventually destroyed the capital. A very interesting coin, testifying to the historical context in which it was minted. A must-have! Robinson & Clement Group F, 7; SNG ANS 470 and HGC 3.1, 498. Ex Lanz Graz, Auktion 10, Graz, Austria, 03 December 1977, lot 92. Faune d'Argent Collection.
X-A-Λ-KIΔ-EΩN
14.01 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.
