Thessaly, Didrachm, ca. 356-342 BC
Larissa - Silver - AU(55-58) - HGC:4-409
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 the nymph Larissa facing, turned three-quarters left, wearing ampyx, single-pendant earring and necklace.
Bridled horse prancing right, raising right foreleg high and its left rear leg close to the ground.
Didrachm of remarkable quality, despite the slightly visible old cleaning. Few examples are so well preserved, and moreover adorned with a slight iridescent patina as on the obverse of our coin. On a slightly oval flan, the designs have been very well centred and precisely struck, with only the end of the legend in the exergue partially off-center. The horse is remarkably well detailed, reflecting the engraver's attention in his work to get as close as possible to reality, with the head as a striking element. The quality of this coin is comparable if not superior to the BCD II 311 one, from the same dies, with a flan having a more uniform and regular edge. Outstanding example! Pozzi 1220 (Sale / 2772 (Collection); HGC 4, 409; Dewing 1397; SNG Copenhagen 119; BCD Thessaly I, 1159-60; BCD Thessaly II, 311 (same dies); BMC 55; Trampitsch Collection 157; Lorber, Die Study, Serie A, O3/R5 (Pl. 3). Ex Vinchon, 22 May 1995, lot 111. Faune d'Argent Collection.
ΛAPI - Σ // AIΩN
12.3 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(55-58)” 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(55-58)
This means – more prosaically – that the coin has been in circulation but sufficiently little that its original beauty is preserved almost in its entirety. The wear is barely visible and any other defect can only be identified with a magnifying glass or a particularly keen eye. The number (55-58) indicates that between three quarters and almost all of the original luster remains.
