Sicily, Didrachm, ca. 460-440 BC
Selinos - 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.
Nude Herakles, subduing the Cretan bull, holding his club in right hand over the bull.
Nude figure of river-god Hypsas standing left, holding phiale in right hand over canopied altar, and branch in left; serpent coiled around altar, heron and selinon leaf to right.
Beautiful didrachm covered with a nice grey patina, of great iconographic interest and with rare types. The observe depicts the seventh of the twelve labours of Herakles (Hercules), the live capture of the Cretan Bull. This bull, according to some versions, is the one with which the wife of the King of Crete Minos, Pasiphae, fell in love and with which she gave birth to the Minotaur. Following this, the bull was enraged by Poseidon as revenge, terrified and ravaged Crete before being captured by the Greek hero. The reverse, which has much more to do with Greek religion and focuses on the city of Selinos, shows us a number of symbols linked to the city, starting with the Selinon leaf, the main emblem from which the city takes its name. The central element is the river-god Hypsas, a representation of the river that flows near the city, now called Belice, sacrificing over an altar with a snake coiled around it. A rich and beautiful representation! SNG ANS 704 (same dies); SNG Ashmolean 1899 (same reverse die); Rizzo pl. XXXI, 16; Kraay & Hirmer 187; C. Gillet Collection 495 and HGC 2, 1224. Faune d'Argent Collection.
ΣΕΛΙИΟΤΙΟИ (Σ - Ε - ΛΙ - ИΟΤ - Ι - ΟИ)
ὙΨΑΣ / ΗΥΨΑΣ
8.6 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 “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.
