Iberia, Drachm, ca. 300-241 BC
Gallic imitation of Emporion - Silver - EF(40-45)
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.
Female head (Tanit or Persephone) on the left wearing a wreath of wheat ears and a triple pendant earring.
Horse standing on the right, crowned by Nike, winged and flying above him.
Extremely rare imitation, certainly Gallic, of the drachms of Emporion featuring a standing horse. Emporion was a colony founded by the Phoceans in the 6th century BC, shortly after Massalia (Marseille), on the eastern tip of present-day Spain. Its name comes from the eponymous term for a port or trading post. Between the 4th and 3rd centuries BC, Emporion minted fractional coins, but this system was quickly abandoned when drachms appeared. The first drachms of Emporion were inspired by Carthage. On the obverse is the head of a woman, possibly Tanit, wearing a crown of wheat ears and a three-pendant earring, while on the reverse is a horse standing and turned to the right. The influence of Carthage during this period is well known and is known to have extended as far as the northern Spanish coast. However, their defeat at the Aegadian Islands and more generally during the First Punic War (264-241 BC) caused their influence around the Mediterranean to decline. From 241 BC onwards, a change in style can be seen. The female head depicted on the obverse of the coinage now resembles Arethusa more than Tanit, she is turned to the right and dolphins appear around the portrait. Similarly, on the reverse, the Carthaginian horse is gradually replaced by a Pegasus. The presence of Nike on the reverse also recalls the coinage of Sicily, where the goddess is depicted in flight, crowning the horse. Also in the 3rd century BC, Emporion drachms were widely imitated, particularly in Gaul. The differences can be seen in the fineness of the engraving and in the legend. Our drachm is a perfect example of this, as its legend, ΕΝΠΟPΕΙΤΩΝ, is incorrect. The second E should not be there. The style of the imitations evolved at the same time as that of the genuine types. In our case, the coin reproduces the standing horse, which allows us to date it to before 241 BC. The style of our coin is refined and particularly similar to reference 157 in the work by Villaronga and Benages (ACIP 157). As an imitation, our drachm is referenced as No. 238 (ACIP 238) and is one of the first imitations of this type, still very close to the city's originals. Beyond its historical and stylistic interest, our drachm is extremely rare, as fewer than five examples have been found in sales in recent years. A few examples are also present in public collections, including two illustrated in Moneda Iberica: one at the British Museum (RPK, Gre.2), mentioned as an imitation, and another at the Gabinet Numismàtic de Catalunya (ref. 20545). MIB 14777, CNH 5, ACIP 238.
ΕΝΠΟPΕΙΤ[ΩΝ]
4.81 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.
An “EF(40-45)” 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:
Extremely Fine
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 retains much of its mint luster, sharp detailing and little sign of being circulated. Closer examination with the naked eye reveals minor scratches or nicks.
