Kingdom of Macedonia, Alexander I, Tetrobol
ca. 460-451 BC - Aigai(?) - Silver
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Macedonian hunter (or warrior ?) riding horse advancing right, wearing kausia and holding two spears.
Forepart of a roaring lion, right, only one foreleg visible; beaded line behind, all in an incus square.
Beautiful and extremely rare example from a tetrobol issue of the Macedonian king Alexander I Balas with the heavy thraco-macedonian standard (the mass of a tetrobol was approximately 2.45g, compared with 2.18g for the light standard). In addition to the elegance of the horse's engraving, there's also the presumably extremely rare characteristic of the lion having only one visible paw. Alexander I struck two issues with the lion, one still with archaic traits, between 480 and 476 B.C. (HGC 3.1, 759), and a second one, in the classic style, dated to the end of his reign, between 460 and 451 B.C., which explains its similarity to the coins of his successor Perdikkas II. This second issue appears to be of the highest rarity, with less than 10 examples of the “classic” type recorded in auctions. D.Raymond lists only 4 different reverse engravings (118-121), only one for n°118, 119 and 120, and 4 for n°121, for a total of only 7 examples of this type with the single lion's paw. Raymond, Group IV, 121 (P9/A13) et HGC 3.1, 760. Ex Delorme, Fraysse & Weil, 16-17 May 1998, lot 30. Faune d'Argent Collection.
2.47 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.
