Carnutes, Stater, 2nd-1st century BC
Electrum - AU(50-53) - Delestrée:2531
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Stater attributed to the Carnutes tribe (Beauce and Orléans region, central France), part of the class known as 'moon-shaped profile and plain cheek' ("au profil luniforme et à la joue lisse"). Delestrée, Class III, 2531 (pl. XXI); Scheers, Lyon 292; Scheers, Danicourt 77; Latour 5951 (pl.
XVIII).
Moon-shaped profile to the right, with a plain cheek and almond-shaped eye. The hair is made up of crescent-shaped locks interlaced with each other. Above, the hair consists of simple locks with pelleted ends. Where the ear should be, three globules arranged in a triangle; the base of the neck is beaded.
Biga to the right, the two horses clearly distinguishable, surmounted by a charioteer holding the reins in one hand and a baton in the other. Under the horses' tails, a four-spoked wheel. Between their legs, an upside-down lyre. In the exergue, decorative motifs evoking a legend.
Stater attributed to the Carnutes, a tribe from central France, in the Beauce region near Orléans, known as “au profil luniforme et à la joue lisse” (with moon-shaped profile and plain cheek). Identified as Dt. 2531 but almost identical to Dt. 2530, except that L-P Delestrée specifies the decoration of the exergue on the reverse for 2531 but not for 2530. The engraving of the portrait is precise, well executed and centered on the flan, and the locks of hair on the top of the head are clearly visible, uncommon detail. On the reverse, there is a minor scratch on the rear legs of the carriage, but overall it is very well preserved and only the exergue is blurred due to a weak strike. The charioteer is curious: the engraving of his head is very stylized, while care has been taken to represent the two horses distinctly, but in a characteristic Celtic style. Delestrée, Class III, 2531 (pl. XXI); Scheers, Lyon 292; Scheers, Danicourt 77; Latour 5951 (pl. XVIII).
7.14 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).
