Sicily, Tetradrachm, ca. 410-406 BC
Akragas - Signed - Silver - AU(50-53)
Sold
Quadriga right driven by charioteer dressed in a long chiton, right shoulder bare; he holds reins in both hands and a kentron in right hand; horses galloping in lively motion with heads down; head of third horse turned towards second horse; above, Nike flying left holding an wreath with both hands, crowing charioteer; in exergue, crab seen from above.
Ethnic АΚΡАΓA upward, in small letters, beginning on left side following the edge of the coin; eagle pair left; first eagle’s head pulled back strongly backwards, wings closed; on lowest wing quill, signature of the engraver ΠΟΛΥΑΙ; second eagle visible behind first one with both wings spread, head bent over hare. In their claws, large dead hare on pile of stones with a plant beside.
A masterpiece of ancient Greek numismatic art of the highest rarity. Produced by the master Poly(ainos?), the coin has an extremely rich composition and details. Remarkably centered for this type, with an almost round flan, the tetradrachm is covered in a splendid dark grey patina. The engraver officiated at the same time as another master engraver, Myron (MYP; Westermark 583), whose work was just as remarkable. The quadriga on the obverse is outstanding, and the power of the horses looking at each other as they race is striking. On the reverse, the pair of eagles, the animal emblem of the city of Akragas, are beautifully detailed, particularly their highly realistic plumage. Dated between 410 and 406 BC, this coin would have been made by the Agrigentine master engraver Polyainos to celebrate the second victory of the Agrigentine athlete Exainetos. Exainetos won the Stadion (192m running event) at the Olympic Games in 416 and 412 BC, and it is said that the athlete's return to the city after his second victory was celebrated with a triumph that included 300 chariots, all pulled by two white horses. A coin of great rarity, with only a dozen known examples, showing two types considered as masterpieces of ancient numismatic art. They were produced in the context of the glorification of the city of Agrigento through the victory of its athlete in the Olympic Games, the most renowned sporting competition in Antiquity, giving the city a remarkable reputation thanks to the echo that such a victory was able to generate. Westermark 587.1 (O4/R5); SNG Lloyd 819 (same dies) = Kraay-Hirmer 176; Rizzo Pl. II, 2 & fig. 20, p.89 (same dies) and NFA XX, 9-10/03/1988, 620 (same dies). Ex Delorme-Fraysse-Weil, 26 May 1997, lot 1. Faune d'Argent Collection.
АΚΡАΓ-[А] / ΠΟΛΥΑΙ
17.25 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).
