Islands off Thrace, Stater, ca. 435-411 BC
Thasos - Silver - AU(55-58) - HGC:6-334
Sold
Bald-headed, long-bearded and nude Ithyphallic Satyr in kneeling-running stance to right, carrying off protesting nymph, draped; in right field, A.
Quadripartite incuse square.
Magnificent example, with a remarkable cabinet patina with light golden tones. Struck using a reduced Thasian standard, designated as a stater or didrachm. A stater of rare quality, and especially with a remarkable centering, whose obverse die is recognizable by few slight die breaks similar to many other examples, at the level of the A, under the nymph's armpit and between the satyr's legs. We see an interesting distinction compared to the satyr myth, since he is represented almost in human form, without his horse's legs, just with his ears and a tail that is slightly visible behind him. His face also seems less animal-like and more human than the usual representations. This coin is typical of the island of Thasos depicting a satyr abducting a nymph. It is an original and much appreciated iconography of this mythological creature, whose behaviour consists mainly of abducting women (nymphs or human) to use them as simple sexual objects to satisfy their sexual appetites. These creatures were depicted as troublemakers with insatiable sexual appetites in the Archaic and Classical periods, as shown on this coin or on Greek vases from the same period. But even if these representations seem to last, they change during the Hellenistic period towards more diverse representations, which may be less sexualised, merge them with various mythological figures like Pan or Silenus (a wise satyr), or they gradually lose their animal aspects. Such iconography is much appreciated by collectors, especially with a coin so well preserved and attractive to the eye! Le Rider, Thasiennes 6; HGC 6, 334; Jameson 1067 (same dies); SNG Copenhagen Supp. 103; BMC Thrace 29; Svonoros, Hellénisme Primitif (HPM), 21 (Pl. X, 27); Pozzi 1118 (Sale) & 2381 (Coll.); J.Hirsch XXVI, 147-8; Kraay-Hirmer 437 and Gulbenkian 464. Faune d'Argent Collection.
8.88 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.
