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 around the face are half-moon-shaped.
The second row's flame-like locks are hemmed with a line. The head, with its scalloped chin and prominent nose, is encircled by a pearled cord reaching the base of the neck, ending with small crescent-shaped heads. At the base of the neck, a yoke-shaped bracket.
Androcephalic horse (helmeted?) to right, surmounted by a stylized charioteer holding the reins with his right hand and brandishing a 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.
6.54 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.
