Aulerci Eburovices, Hemistater, 2nd-1st centuries BC
Gold - AU(55-58)
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.
Profile on the left, very geometric, cheeky, with exuberant hair. The hair is split in two by a beaded cord: above, the strands are represented by two “mistletoe branches” (beaded segments), with the end of the lower one connected by a line to the penultimate bead of the upper one. The locks of the lower part are formed by three parallel curves, the ends of the shortest one connected by a segment with a central pellet.
The eye is represented by a large dotted triangle, the nose materialized by its outer tip, and below, the mouth is minimized to a dot. From the ear, represented by a semicircle, emerges a beaded cord curved towards the chin. Below the hair, a boar with bristled hair upwards, its back outwards, with a globule between its legs.
Highly stylized horse galloping to the right, surmounted by the remains of a charioteer, shaped like a horizontal insect, from which emerge filiform arms, one positioned as if holding the reins (visible under its jaw), the other going over the horse's head. Beneath the horse, a boar-standard with bristled hair, to the right, a globule between its legs. In front of the horse, a motif with three beaded branches.
Hemistater “with wild boar” is mainly attributed to the Aulerci Eburovices tribe (from the Evreux region, France) Struck on an ovoid flan, this example is in remarkable condition. The details of this portrait, with its very distinctive features, are clearly visible. It is noticeable that a semblance of a “tattoo” has been maintained on the cheek, similar to certain hemistaters from the series “au loup” (with the wolf), also attributed to the Aulerci Eburovices and the Lexovii. The reverse is particularly well centered; only the charioteer is slightly cropped, but the orientation of the strike has led to the entire type being struck on the flan. We inform that this example was struck with the same observe die as another example we are offering. Delestrée, Serie 402, 2404 ; Scheers, Ebur. 1980, série Id, classe II, 35-41.
3.28 gr
Gold
Although nowadays gold enjoys a reputation as the king of precious metals, that was not always the case. For example, in Ancient Greece, Corinthian bronze was widely considered to be superior. However, over the course of time, it has established itself as the prince of money, even though it frequently vies with silver for the top spot as the standard.
Nevertheless, there are other metals which appear to be even more precious than this duo, take for example rhodium and platinum. That is certain. Yet, if the ore is not as available, how can money be produced in sufficient quantities? It is therefore a matter of striking a subtle balance between rarity and availability.
But it gets better: gold is not only virtually unreactive, whatever the storage conditions (and trouser pockets are hardly the most precious of storage cases), but also malleable (coins and engravers appreciate that).
It thus represents the ideal mix for striking coins without delay – and we were not going to let it slip away!
The chemical symbol for gold is Au, which derives from its Latin name aurum. Its origins are probably extraterrestrial, effectively stardust released following a violent collision between two neutron stars. Not merely precious, but equally poetic…
The first gold coins were minted by the kings of Lydia, probably between the 8th and 6th century BC. Whereas nowadays the only gold coins minted are investment coins (bullion coins) or part of limited-edition series aimed at collectors, that was not always the case. And gold circulated extensively from hand to hand and from era to era, from the ancient gold deposits of the River Pactolus to the early years of the 20th century.
As a precious metal, in the same way as silver, gold is used for minting coins with intrinsic value, which is to say the value of which is constituted by the metal from which they are made. Even so, nowadays, the value to the collector frequently far exceeds that of the metal itself...
It should be noted that gold, which is naturally very malleable, is frequently supplemented with small amounts of other metals to render it harder.
The millesimal fineness (or alloy) of a coin indicates the exact proportion (in parts per thousand) of gold included in the composition. We thus speak, for example, of 999‰ gold or 999 parts of gold 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.
