Bruttium, Nomos, ca. 320-270 BC
Lokroi Epizephyrioi - Silver - AU(50-53)
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Laureate head of Zeus on left.
Eagle with open wings flying left, piercing the belly of a hare with its claws, thunderbolt in the right field.
Nomos with gray patina and centered strike revealing most of the iconography. Our specimen is in very good condition, and the iconography on both sides is particularly pleasing to the eye. The portrait of Zeus on the obverse is skilfully depicted. Every curly strand of his hair and beard can be seen, while his facial features are refined. The obverse is slightly off-center to the left, making the legend almost invisible, although it can be seen on the edge of our coin at 9h. The reverse is particularly beautiful, with many details of the plumage of the eagle still visible. Both animals are represented with beautiful relief and a smooth appearance. Similarly, the thunderbolt is delicately depicted with thin lines and a perfect dot in its center. The depiction of Zeus on the obverse is linked to the importance of the deity to the city of Lokroi Epizephyrioi, which erected the temple of Maison Marafioti to him. According to legend, during the Battle of the Sagra (mid-6th century BC), Krotone was numerically superior, but Zeus and the Dioscuri (his sons) came to the aid of Rhegion and Lokroi Epizephyrioi, who were victorious. The erection of this temple dates from this period. Zeus is also represented on the reverse by the eagle and the thunderbolt, his two main attributes. The iconography of the eagle capturing and tearing up the hare evokes the idea of “hunter and prey”, and thus a dynamic of power. The association with Zeus and his attributes on our coin therefore seeks to represent the city's power. Long an ally of Syracuse, Lokroi Epizephyrioi became a democracy once again after ousting Dionysius II, the banished tyrant of Syracuse who became Tyrant of Locres during his exile. Our coin was minted some time later, during the Second and Third Samnite Wars, just before she allied herself with Pyrrhus I and later the Romans. A very pleasing Nomos, with iconography reflecting the idea of power, and a perfect propaganda medium for the city. A must-have! SNG Lloyd 461; HN Italy 2319; HGC 1, 1565 and SNG Oxford 1558. Ex Vinchon, 22 May 1995, lot 39 = William Rome Collection, Esq., F.S.A (Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries) & C. (Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, 24 February 1904, lot 61) = John Glas Sandeman Collection, Esq., F.S.A (Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries) (Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, 13 June 1911, lot 15) = Georges Picard Collection (A. Sambon & Canessa, 14 March 1923, lot 213). Faune d'Argent Collection.
ΛOKPΩN
7.66 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(50-53)” 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(50-53)
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 displays sharp detailing and little sign of being circulated. The number (50-53) indicates that at least half of the original luster remains. Closer examination with the naked eye reveals minor scratches or nicks.
You might be wondering why there are different ranges of numbers behind the same abbreviation. Well, we’ll explain:
The numbers are subdivisions within a category, showing that the state of conversation is the same but coins may be at the higher or lower end of the scale. In the case of AU, the range (55-58) indicates that the luster is better preserved in than a similar coin described as (50-53).
