Bruttium, Tetradrachm, c. 425-420 BC
Rhegion - Silver - VF(30-35) - HGC:1-1636
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.
Head of lion facing, within border of dots.
Iokastos, seated left, draped from the waist and crossing his legs, resting his left hand on the seat and holding a scepter in his right hand; cat playing with a ball under the seat and turned left; all within a laurel wreath.
An extremely rare tetradrachm featuring a cat on the reverse, which has not been seen at auction in the last 20 years! Our specimen, slightly off-center from left on the obverse, reveals the entire head of the lion. Despite the wear on our coin, it still shows some detail. The eyes and mane are particularly noteworthy. The beginning of a blue-green patina is forming along the border of dots and in the hollows. The iconography on the reverse is partially truncated, but reveals the entire central motif. Iokastos is represented here as a young man in a dynamic posture - legs crossed, arms and hands in action - as is the cat, whose back is exaggeratedly arched, testifying to the feline's characteristic suppleness. The dynamic stance of the cat is further emphasized by its raised front paws, showing it in action with the ball. The dies used to strike our coin are referenced in Herzfelder's book at number 49. The cat iconography is only present on one reverse die (R41), which is associated with two obverse dies (D28 and D29). Our coin type is therefore rare, and all the more so as few examples have been offered for sale recently! An example with obverse O28 and reverse R41 is held in the Münzkabinett of Berlin. Our obverse die - D29 - shows the characteristic breaks and weaknesses found on our coin. Similarly, the reverse die was worn and numerous breaks are visible on the tetradrachm. These can be seen on the right hand of Iokastos and between his arm and knee. Our coin is classified in group III, where our figure is depicted for the first time as a young man, in ever-dynamic positions and with various symbols and animals under his seat. The most common is the snake - the animal which, according to legend, killed Iokastos - but there are also dogs, hares and birds, which are rarer but have been seen on sale in recent years.The man, whom we have interpreted from the outset as Iokastos, is the founder of the city of Rhegion, hence his presence on this coinage.The lion, associated with the god Apollo, is also closely linked to the myth of the city's foundation. According to legend, one in ten inhabitants of Chalcis were dedicated to Apollo. Following an oracle from the Pythia of Delphi, these consecrated men were sent by the god to found Rhegion. This is a very rare Rhegion tetradrachm, whose iconography is closely linked to the legends of its foundation! Herzfelder 49 (O29/R41); HN Italy 2491 var. and HGC 1, 1636. Faune d'Argent Collection.
RECIИOƧ
17.09 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.
