Pictones, Santones, Statère à la main
1st century BC - Electrum - VF(30-35)
Profile to the right, of armorican type, with uniform facial traits. Hair divided into two rows of locks. The locks framing the face are made up of surrounded half-moons.
The flame-like locks in the second row are surrounded by a beaded border. At the base of the neck, a yoke-shaped bracket.
Helmeted androcephalic horse to the right, surmounted by a stylised charioteer holding the reins with his right hand and brandishing a pearled torque with his left. Before, coming out of the horse's mouth, a crescent. Below, a hand set on a yoke-shaped bracket.
Nice specimen, unfortunately struck on a narrow flan, so the details around the profile are out of flan. On the reverse, only the hand is visible, but the horse's helmet is well defined.
6.32 gr
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.
