Description

Ancient Greece.

Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 420-404 BC.

A beautiful, excellent coin with sharp detail. Very minimal amount of wear is evident.

Obverse: Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palette on bowl, round earrings with central boss, and pearl necklace.

Reverse: Owl standing to right with head facing left, olive sprig and crescent behind, AΘE before, all within incuse square.

These thick, high-relief coins were known as "Owls", in ancient times and were the world's first great trade currency.

Athena was the daughter of Zeus and the goddess of both wisdom & warfare.

Catalogue: HGC4, 1597; Kroll 8; Svoronos pls 12-13 passim.

Weight: 17.124g.

Silver, 17.24g, diameter, 23.5 - 25.5mm.

Width: 5mm.

Grade: EF.

Providence: Ex; Otago Coin International.

SOLD.