Sicily, 16 Litrai, ca. 218-215 BC
Syracuse - Silver - AU(55-58) - HGC:2-1554
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Bust of Philistis, diademed and veiled, to the left, grain in right field.
Nike driving quatriga galloping right, holding reins with both hands; KI above right hand, grain ear below horses legs on the right, name on the exergue.
Superb tetradrachm in excellent condition, with round, well-centered flan, adorned with a beautiful patina of gray and gold highlights. The obverse shows Philistis, considered the wife of Hieron II, tyrant of Syracuse between 270 and 215 B.C. She is depicted in an idealized way, with fine features and a beautiful portrait, from wavy locks to numerous hairs engraved with delicate lines. Her veil is realistic, with numerous folds and marked reliefs and hollows. It also reveals part of the queen's hairstyle: a bun at the back of her head. Her diadem, a delicate band, reveals a few curls that disappear beneath the fabric. Her identity is inscribed on the reverse of our specimen: her title is legible at the top, while her name is in the exergue. The portrait on the obverse is perfectly in keeping with the feminine iconography of the period, where the features are idealized and reflect both the idea of royalty and (religious) piety. At the same time in Egypt, identical iconographic codes were used in the coinage of Berenice II and Arsinoe II. Our exemple is also part of an important series of coins issued under Hieron II representing his wife. This coinage is characterized by highly refined engraving and a multiplicity of iconographic details. The magnificent reverse features a wealth of detail, particularly on the horses. Each animal is unique, perfectly preserved and has a complex, well-illustrated anatomy. In the same way, Nike is delicately depicted: you can see her nose, the muscles of her torso and the drape around her hips. The elements of the chariot and harness are all present and visible. The latter can be seen on the front of the horses (shoulder and head), as well as the chariot's left wheel, visible through their hind legs. In addition, its distance from the right wheel is noteworthy. The grain ear on the obverse is partially visible, while on the reverse, it is very well preserved and detailed, right down to the beards represented by a few virtually invisible lines! A magnificent, well-centered specimen with refined iconography, a true masterpiece of ancient engraving. A must-have! Burnett, Enna Hoard 43 ; HGC 2, 1554 and BMC 548. Ex P. and diverse Collection (Delorme, Fraysse & Weil, 19 June 1993, lot 11). Faune d'Argent Collection.
ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΑΣ / ΦΙΛΙΣΤΙΔΟΣ
13.34 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.
