Coin, Carthage, 1/2 Shekel
213-210 BC - AU(55-58) - Silver - SNG-Cop:383
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Coin, Carthage, Second Punic War, 1/2 Shekel, Struck during the expedition to Sicily, 213-210 BC, AU(55-58), Silver, SNG-Cop:383.
Head of Melkart left, wearing laurel wreath
Elephant advancing right; Punic A in exergue
An exceptionally fine example for the type, the portrait of Melqart and the elephant are remarkable, in fine style and covered with a magnificent antique grey patina with light iridescent toning. The 1/2 shekel is of the greatest rarity, as much as the shekel. It owes its fame to the emblematic animal on the reverse side, the elephant, which was used by Hannibal Barca, the famous Carthaginian general, when he crossed the Pyrenees and then the Alps in 218 BC, accompanied by elephants to take Rome. In literature, the portrait on the right is often assigned to Melqart or Hannibal, or even Melqart based on Hannibal's model, in which case this 1/2 shekel would be the only representation of the great military tactician who so inspired Napoleon Bonaparte, who followed in his footsteps 20 centuries later in 1800 when he crossed the Great St. Bernard Alpine pass.
3.51 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 “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.
