Sicily, Tetradrachm, ca. 415-405 BC
Gela - 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.
Quadriga galloping to the left, driven by an charioteer holding a kentron in his right hand and the reins in both hands; above the horses, an eagle flying left; in exergue, grain ear to left.
Androcephalic bull standing left on a ground line; before him, a long stalk of cereal (barley or wheat) with a ear before his head and another stalk with an ear under his beard. In exergue, a grain (barley or wheat) to left.
Tetradrachm of the highest rarity, from the city of Gela. The engravings are still very well preserved, and the cereal stalk is still clearly visible, and most importantly complete, a rare feature for these coins, which are often centred on the bull, with the stalk only partially visible. The coin is covered by an uneven grey patina, which varies in intensity depending on the area. A very interesting numismatic aspect of these tetradrachms is the die combination between the quadriga and eagle obverse and another reverse die. There, the bull river-god is represented as a forepart, unlike this later issue where it is represented in its entirety. This is also the only known issue of the tetradrachms of the city of Gela with such a representation of their river god, who had maintained the representation of the forepart throughout the history of its coinage. Probably minted shortly before the destruction of the city by the Carthaginians in 405 BC, this coin offers us a splendid figurative depiction of a landscape of its chôra, fertilised by the river Gela, personified by the androcephalic bull. These ears of grain in front of him as in the exergue emphasise the agricultural wealth of the region, as had already been depicted on previous issues. Jameson 593 (same dies); SNG Copenhagen 279 (same dies); SNG Fitzwilliam 1010 (same dies); Basel 291; Jenkins Gela, Group IX, 485 and Rizzo pl. XIX, 4 (same dies). Faune d'Argent Collection.
ΓEΛAΣ
16.81 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.
