Thrace, Tetradrachm, ca. 352-351 BC
Abdera - Silver - AU(50-53) - HGC:3.2-1208
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Griffin recumbent left, wings spread and left forepaw raised.
Artemis draped, standing right, holding a bow in her left hand with a notched arrow, and a leafy branch in her right hand. Standing by her side, a deer or a doe.
Magistrate Polykrates. Very attractive tetradrachm with slight double-strike on reverse, adorned with a very pleasing cabinet patina highlighted by subtle iridescent tones and struck on a Persic standard. Artemis is undoubtedly the most beautiful element of the coin, represented here by her function as huntress (Hêgêmónê, “Leader” or Agrotera “of the wild animals of the countryside”), with her bow with notched arrow, and one of her symbolic animals (deer or doe, depending on interpretation), at her side. In her other hand, a leafy branch, interpreted as a laurel branch, could also be a myrtle or willow branch, two other plants associated with the divinity. It has a remarkable iconography, in the typical style of the period. The city of Abdera was named after Herakles' companion, who was killed by the mares of Diomedes. According to the foundation myth, Herakles founded the city to honor him. Historically, the city was founded twice, first by settlers from Klazomenai and then, following the failure of cohabitation with the Thracians, by other settlers from its neighbor Teos a few years later. They restored its prosperity throughout the Classical and Hellenistic periods. A city with a major commercial harbor, the city traded with all shores of the Mediterranean and minted numerous coins that are found throughout the whole Mediterranean littoral. Our example was issued in the middle of the 4th century B.C., during the transition between the independence of the city, then under Athenian influence and the conquest of the region by Philip II of Macedonia. HGC 3.2, 1208; Pozzi 1091 (Sale) & 2282 (Coll.); Jameson 2006 (same dies); CN Type 6015; SNG Lockett 1048; May, The Coinage of Abdera, 458-459, pl. 21 (c. 386/385-375 BC); Chryssanthaki-Nagle, L'histoire monétaire d'Abdère en Thrace, p. 127 (350-349 BC) and Babelon Traité, 1394, pl. 137, 8. Ex A. Tkalec AG, Zürich, Switzerland, 25 October 1996, lot 23. Faune d'Argent Collection.
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11.35 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).
