Lucania, Didrachm, 300-280 BC
Velia - Silver - EF(40-45) - HGC:1-1319
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Head of Athena on the left, wearing a crested and adorned Attic helmet; Φ under her chin and ·Κ behind her neck.
Lion at bay to the left, Φ and I on either side of a triskeles above, ethnic in exergue.
Didrachm with an almost round flan showing all the elements of the obverse and most of the iconography on the reverse. It was struck during the magistracy of Philistion, whose first two letters appear on either side of the triskeles. On both sides, die breaks are visible at around 1h on the obverse and across the lion's head and on the “I” of the magistrate's name on the reverse. Our specimen features a great deal of detail, notably on the helmet of the goddess and particularly the crest and ornament. Her hair is also finely defined, while her features are generally pleasing to the eye. Every hair of the lion's mane on the reverse is visible, and the joints of its paws can still be made out. His outstretched tongue and stance are filled with anticipation and caution. A lovely coin with a gray patina, minted shortly before the city came under Roman influence and became a “foederata civitas” (city allied to Rome). Beautiful iconography! HGC 1, 1319; Williams 468; SNG ANS 1386; McClean 1494 var. and HN Italy 1308. Faune d'Argent Collection.
Φ - I // ΥΕΛΗΤΩΝ
7.38 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.
