Spanish Netherlands, Philip IV, 2 Ducaton
1623 - Antwerp - Silver - VF(30-35)
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.
Bust of Philip IV, right, with a large milled collar, a folded cloak and a lion's head on his shoulder, wearing the collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece.
Coat of arms of Philip IV supported by two lions on their back legs, and holding a crown above.
Unfortunately, this specimen has suffered from considerable circulation and has been worn over time, with numerous scratches on both sides. Named as a double ducaton, it seems that this coin was not an official circulating issue but was rather an pattern strike, considered as a "piéfort" twice the weight of the ducaton. The Vanhoudt does not reference it, but only mentions the single ducaton, making this coin struck for an exceptional strike that was not destined to be put into circulation. There are also coins weighing around 90g, 3 times heavier than the circulating ducaton. Extremely rare specimen, almost never seen in auctions for this year. Davenport 4443.
PHIL• IIII• D• G• HISP• ET• INDIAR• REX• 16(Hand)23•
•ARCHID• AVST• DV-X• BVRG• BRAB• Zc•
64.39 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.
