Aulerci Eburovices, 1/4 Stater, 1st century BC
Extremely rare - Electrum
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.
Very stylised profile to left, chubby, with composite hair made up of a branch with pellets and a ‘comb’ motif, whose nose, almost absent, is replaced by a circle centred by a dot. The eye is wide, the lower eyelid is a beaded line in the shape of a stretched S, and the upper eyelid is striped. The cheek occupies the whole centre of the flan, and shows a tattoo-like pattern made up of three oblique lines, two striped outer lines surrounding a wavy central line.
Behind the cheek, two pointed S's.
Horse bridled to the right, with beaded mane, surmounted by an charioteer holding the reins in his right hand, brandishing his left arm. Behind, the remains of a four-spoked wheel. Below, a slender wolf to right, its jaw open as if it were about to bite the horse's front legs. However, the wolf is unrecognisable. In front, an X-shaped beaded cross.
Type of the highest rarity, called "with wolf and ornamented cheek" ! Excellent state of preservation and above all very well centred, with all the designs of the type visible! Almost unseen in auctions, this Gallic coin made of a depleted gold alloy is absolutely exceptional. Less than 5 specimens seem to exist, and only one has been seen in sales over the last two decades, which is not the specimen illustrated by the Delestrée (Dt. 2398), also in a private collection. This kind of specimen is therefore almost impossible to find, and is an excellent representation of Gallic art and the reinterpretations of older types that inspired the engravers of these coins.
1.34 gr
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).
