Carthaginian Sicily, Tetradrachm, ca. 350-340 BC
Sicilian Mint - Silver
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 Tanit / Persephone to left, wearing grain wreath, triple-pendant earring and plain necklace. Anepigraphic.
Horse prancing to left, left foreleg raised and doubly bent; palm-tree behind.
Beautiful and extremely rare tetradrachm. The obverse has an attractive grey cabinet patina, while the reverse has a beautiful golden tones around the reliefs. Minted in the middle of the 4th century BC, probably in a Carthaginian military mint in Sicily, the mint remains unknown, but Jenkins suggests the possibility that this coin serie was issued in Lilybaion, although there is no certitude. This type is extremely rare, although very attractive because of the look given to the portrait of Tanit by the engraver in comparison with other types. Very few examples of this type have been sold to date. The most recent example is from the Lockett collection, auctioned by Stack's Bowers (January 2022 NYINC, 14/01/2022, lot 3018; 11 000$). Jenkins, Part 3, Serie 2a, 68 (Pl. 2) (O19/R62); HGC 2, 268 and SNG Lockett 1045. Faune d'Argent Collection.
17.27 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.
