Pictones, Santones, Statère à la main
1st century BC - Electrum - VF(30-35)
Profile / head to the right. Hair divided into two rows of locks. The locks framing the face are shaped like half-moons.
The second row's flame-like locks are finished with a line. The head is surrounded by a pearled cord until the base of the neck, finished with small heads at the ends represented as crescents. 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. In front of the horse, a crescent. Below, a hand resting on a yoke-shaped bracket.
This coin is part of the picto-santones coinage ‘à la main’ (with the hand), and belongs to Group A, Class A2 of the classification of L-P Délestrée, whose provenances mostly correspond to the territory of the Pictones, rather than the territory of the Santones. Nice specimen, with most of the type details visible, corresponding mainly to Dt. 3648, but with other Group A characteristics.
5.47 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.
