Campania, Didrachm, c. 300 BC
Neapolis - Silver - EF(40-45) - HN Italy:576
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 the nymph Parthenope on the right, wearing a single-strand pearl necklace, earring and pearl-rimmed diadem on her short, curly hair; four dolphins swimming around her; all within a border of dots.
Bull with human head walking right, head facing, Nike flying above him on the right and placing a laurel wreath on his head.
An eye-pleasing didrachm in very good condition, with most of the iconography visible on each side. It has a beautiful gray patina with golden and blue highlights. The strike is off-center on the reverse, making the exergue disappear. According to legend, Parthenope, one of the sirens who tried to bewitch Ulysses and his crew, attempted to drown herself after failing, and drifted to the Bay of Naples, where Neapolis was founded. The dolphins depicted recall the maritime world, both by being associated with Parthenope and the fact that Neapolis was originally an emporion and prospered thanks to maritime trade. The reverse is particularly beautiful. The long body of the bull is very well preserved, revealing legs with detailed joints. Nike is depicted in a sensual way, and the drapery, also highly detailed, brings movement to the goddess. Her wings and the laurels are delicately rendered, testifying to the talent of the engraver who produced the die. A pleasant didrachm! HN Italy 576; HGC 1, 452; BMC Italy 90; Sambon 458 and SNG ANS 775. Faune d'Argent Collection.
ΟΥΙΛ
7.46 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.
