Crete, Stater, 330-270 BC
Gortyna - Silver - EF(40-45)
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.
Europe, draped, seated on the trunk of a leafless plane tree on the right.
Bull standing on the right, its head turned backward.
Rare stater from Gortyna minted on the Aeginetan standard. The iconography of the city’s coinage is largely inspired by Greek mythology, particularly the myth of Europa and Zeus. Zeus, having fallen in love with Europa, princess of Tyre, is said to have transformed himself into a bull to seduce her. Once she was on his back, he carried her to Crete. Their children, Minos, Sarpedon, and Rhadamanthus, were conceived under a plane tree in Gortyna. The coinage of this city thus incorporates various elements of this myth. For example, we find the head of Zeus, that of Europa, the bull, the plane tree, and even the scene of Europa’s abduction on its coins. On the obverse of our coin, we see Europa and the plane tree, and on the reverse, a bull into which Zeus transformed himself. Staters from this period depict the bull and Europa in various positions. Thus, our coin closely resembles references 56 and 57 in Svoronos’s work. It also appears that the dies used for our coin are rarely encountered. Mentioned in Homer’s Iliad, Gortyna is particularly significant in mythology since it lies at the foot of Mount Ida, where Zeus grew up. Gortyna is also one of the most powerful cities in Crete and has existed for millennia. In conflict with Knossos from 323 B.C. onward, it would become the island’s most important city, particularly after 67 B.C., when the Romans conquered Crete. This oblong stater attests to the significant influence of mythology on the iconography and identity of the cities of Crete, particularly that of Gortyna.
11.68 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.
