Sicily, Fifth Democracy, 12 Litrai
214-212 BC - Syracuse - Silver - AU(50-53)
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.
Head of Athena left, wearing crested Corinthian helmet, T-shaped earring and pearled necklace.
Artemis standing left, wearing short chiton, quiver full of arrows in the back, drawing bow; at feet, hound springing left; MI to left.
A 12 Litrai coin of great interest, with superb and very well preserved representations. It was minted in Syracuse during the short period of the Fifth Democracy, before the city was seized by Rome at the end of its siege. The observe of the coin depicts a helmeted Athena, one of the city's patron deities, whose temple had been erected in the early 5th century by the tyrant Gelon after the victory of Himera. Her cult is of great importance, particularly at this time of turmoil, as the period in which she is depicted corresponds to Rome's siege of the city between 213 and 212 BC. This image may therefore represent an act of praise for the divinity in her role as protector of the city of Syracuse, and, as a warrior, to help the people of Syracuse deal with the current threat. On the reverse, Artemis is shown standing to left, in the act of hunting, with her bow drawn and ready to fire her arrow, with her dog at her feet, also ready to pounce on her prey. This representation is a reminder that Artemis is another of the city's patron deities, or at least that she is venerated in the city. Archaeological digs have also revealed the existence of a temple dedicated to her adjacent to the one dedicated to Athena, and ancient textual sources tell us of the existence of religious celebrations in honour of the goddess, although this is less well documented than the temple of Athena. Finally, the presence of her cult on the island is attested further by the fact that 200 years later, from 15 BC onwards, Augustus issued coinage depicting Diana of Sicily, at rest and hunting, with her dog at her side, which is very reminiscent of our iconography, suggesting that the cult of the goddess was well established and long-lasting in the city and on the island as a whole. Burnett, Enna Hoard 11, (Dies 3/f); SNG Copenhagen 877; Ars Classica - Naville XII, 1033 (same dies); de Molthein 593 (same dies) and Ward & Hill (1902), 347. Faune d'Argent Collection.
MI / ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ
10.2 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).
