Augustus, Denarius, ca. 17 BC
Uncertain mint - Silver - NGC - Ch VF 5/5-4/5
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.
Youthful bare head (Julio-Claudian type) right within an oak wreath.
Candelabrum ornamented with three rams' heads; behind, a triple garland adorned with two bucrania and three paterae.
Very nice iridescent patina despite advanced circulation wear. Supplied with an old collector's ticket. An almost unknown issue, whose mint location remains unknown today, as does its datation. We are following the Roman Imperial Coinage date here. The portrait most probably depicts a member of Augustus' family, perhaps his adopted son Caius/Gaius, but who is very young (3 years old) if the datation of the issue is accurate, or Augustus himself, although he is of a middle age (46) at the time the coin was probably struck, two theories that do not seem to go with this portrait of this youthful portrait. However, if we consider that the mint that struck this coin was in the east of the Empire (possibly Asia Minor according to the RIC), it is possible that the engraver did not follow a recent official portrait, or simply did not have any models.
CA-ES-AR
AVG-VST
3.75 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.
