Sicily, Tetradrachm, ca. 425-405 BC
Kamarina - Silver - AU(50-53)
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Athena as charioteer, driving galloping quadriga left, holding reins in both hands; above, Nike flying right, presenting to Athena an open wreath held in both hands; in exergue, heron flying left.
Bearded head of Heracles, left, wearing the lion's skin; [above, a club]; ethic before, written downwards, the letters turned inwards.
Tetradrachm of the highest rarity. Only two other examples have been found, one in the sales of private collections and the other in the collections of the Bibliothèque nationale de France, in the MMA department. The centering of the coin makes the whole legend visible, unlike the other two examples. This has excluded the club from the coin, the recognisable feature of this extremely rare reverse die. The Athena on the observe is most likely an echo of the temple of the city dedicated to the goddess, the few remains of which can still be seen at the Kamarina archaeological site. Here, her martial representation, in military attire and on a galloping quadriga, is probably an Athena Promachos, ‘who fights forward’, who is determined, energetic and indomitable, and who is victorious, as underlined by the Nike flying above and crowning her. On the reverse, the Heracles is also a mark of power, his features are engraved with great realism, his eyes reflecting a serious and determined attitude. A die combination with a military motif, characterised by determination, whether in the eyes of Heracles or in the symbolism of Athena. The city of Kamarina had a history often marked by war, particularly during the second half of the 5th century BC, when their soldiers took part in conflicts against the Carthaginians who had invaded Sicily. Also, during the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta that moved for a time on the island, Kamarina's soldiers faced up against the Athenians alongside Syracuse, Sparta's ally, between 415 and 413 BC. This coin is remarkable for its extremely skilful engraving, and for its exceptional rarity! Westermark & Jenkins 138 (O3/R?); BMC 9-10 var. (without club); HGC 2, 520; Rizzo pl. V, 8 (same obv. die); SNG Lockett 724 (same obv. die); BnF Fonds général, 234 (same dies); Ars Classica - Naville IV, 1922, lot 213 (same obv. die); Clarence S. Bement Collection (Ars Classica - Naville VI, 1924), 350 (same obv. die); Woodward et al. Collections (Ars Classica - Naville XV, 1930), 273 (same obv. die) and same dies as Virzi Collection (J. Hirsch XIX, 1907), 115 = Spencer-Churchill et al. Collections (Ars Classica - Naville XVI, 1933), 455. Ex Vinchon, 25 May 1998, lot n°12 = Bourguignon Collection (A. Sambon & Canessa, 18 Mars 1901, lot 373) = ex Comtesse de Béhague Collection (Vinchon, 14 April 1984, lot 26) = ex Caizergues de Pradines Collection (Vinchon, 06-07 May 1955, lot 189). Faune d'Argent Collection.
ΚΑΜΑΡΙΝΑ-ΙΟ-Ν
16.8 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).
