Sicily, Didrachm, ca. 490-475 BC
Gela - Silver - VF(30-35) - HGC:2-363
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.
Horseman riding right and preparing to cast javelin, within dotted circle.
Forepart of man-headed bull to right, caption below, all within incuse circle.
Attractive coin with oval flan and perfectly centered reverse. The coin has a beautiful patina with blue highlights on the reverse. We note the contrast between the two sides of our specimen. The obverse has been struck with a worn die, revealing some weaknesses in the minting process, while the reverse features a multitude of details, fine lines and pronounced reliefs. The bull with a human head is overall well preserved, showing only a few traces of circulation. The hairs of his beard are visible, and we can still distinguish the folds and the pattern of dots on his neck and the top of his head. The letters are also very delicate and legible. SNG ANS 11; HGC 2, 363; Jenkins, Gela, 65 and BMC 19. Faune d'Argent Collection.
ϹΕΛΑΣ
8.58 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.
