Carthaginian Sicily, Tetradrachm, ca. 350-320 BC
Sicilian Mint - Silver
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Head of Tanit / Persephone to right, wearing grain wreath, triple-pendant earring and pearl necklace; behind neck, poppy; before face, two opposed dolphins.
Horse standing to right, right foreleg slightly lifted and bent, and backleg slightly lifted, with date palm-tree behind.
Unlocated Punic mint; Kephaloidion, Panormos, or a mint moving with the Carthaginian army in Sicily. Highly attractive example, with a delicate uniform grey patina. Type featuring the rare poppy symbol behind the head of the deity. Jenkins interpreted this symbol as being of Greek origin rather than Punic origin, like the others appearing on types from the same period, which may seem surprising for a Carthaginian coinage, especially in the context of war. Boston MFA 493; Jenkins, Punic Sicily III, Serie 2c, 105 (n°3, this coin) (O36/R96); SNG Lloyd 1624 and SNG Lockett 1042. Ex E. Bourgey, 25 May 1950, lot 91. Faune d'Argent Collection.
16.6 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).
