Sicily, Tetradrachm, ca. 412-408 BC
Messana - 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.
The Nymph Messana, wearing long chiton, driving a biga of mules advancing at pace to left, holding a goad in her right hand and reins in both hands; in the exergue, two confronted dolphins.
Hare running and springing to left, below, grain ear (wheat or barley) to left; above, bird (eagle? dove?) flying upwards to left, wings spread out behind.
Tetradrachm with a very attractive type. With this running hare, the engraver has successfully created a very lively scene. It is regrettable that the striking of the coin has caused few cracks on the edge of the flan, and the grainy appearance of the coin due to the removing of a corrosion layer. Nonetheless, the coin is now covered with a splendid dark grey patina enhanced by beautiful blue tones, giving it a very eye-pleasing appeal. This type, with the cereal under the hare, is a very rare design, rarely found in auctions, yet sought-after and held in many collections for its highly atypical image in Greek coinage, to which we can add the mention of the ethnic of the city of Messana. The richness, complexity and thought behind this coin's iconography is apparent when we see the hare, which is one of the animals associated with Pan - one of the Greek deities of Nature - whose head is depicted on other coins from the city dating from the same period. The meaning of the bird is less clear, starting with its species, but we can assume that it was linked to the city, the island of Sicily, or with the god Pan. An alliance between rabbit and bird, sounding like a fable by La Fontaine, which is rather obscure nowadays but which was very probably understandable to the contemporaries who had this coin in their hands and grasped the meaning the engraver was trying to imply. BMC Sicily, p. 104, 46 var.; Caltabiano 599-632 (622 = same obv. die); Boehringer, Rekonstrukzion des Schatzfundes von Ognina 1923, SNR 57, 1978, pl. 33, 157 (same obv. die); Rizzo Pl. XXVII, 7 (same obv. die); J. Hirsch 14, 1905, lot 187 (same dies); Heidelberger, Auction 50, 2008, lot 50 (same dies); Trampitsch Collection 71 (same dies) and BnF, MMA, Fonds général 756 (same dies). Ex Schweizerische Kreditanstalt (Swiss Credit), Auktion 32, Bern, Switzerland, 01 August 1980 - Hohenkubin Collection, Part. II, lot 8. Faune d'Argent Collection.
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15.92 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.
