This morning's score. Too excited not to share...seller photo (zero chance I wait until the coin is received before posting) I remember how I coveted this coin as a kid. Was outbid on several auctions before just squeaking this one out. This coin will be loved. Description Attica. Athens 454-404 BC. Tetradrachm AR 23mm., 17,26g. Head of Athena with profile eye to right, wearing disc earring, pearl necklace and a crested Attic helmet adorned with three olive leaves and a pi-style palmette / ΑΘΕ, owl standing to right, head facing the viewer, olive sprig with berry and crescent moon in upper left field, all within incuse square. very fine
Fantastic well centred exceptional detail with a lot of crest helmet showing, top score congratulations.
Nice score! It has everything I'd want in an Athens owl-- well-centered obverse with complete nose, and well-centered reverse with a large enough flan to show the squareness of the reverse die.
Agree on all counts with TIF. Excellent score! Now certainly seems to be the time to be a buyer if you’re in the market for one, two, or even a full parliament of nice, high grade owls.
Very nice @Nvb. I have one poor example so I need to begin a search for one or more. I'd be very very happy with an example like yours.
Very nice. I prefer the “Type A” ones with the smiling mouth like yours, from a time when Athens was prospering and optimistic. Tentatively dated to 454-431 BC. Enjoy!
@TIF I don't think I've ever seen you post one or see one on your website. Anything specific or just waiting for the right one?
I've been dragging my heels about getting one because I resent having to pay so much for a type which has tens of thousands of extant examples! I'm starting to really want one though so maybe this coming year I'll bite the bullet. Nvb picked his up for a very nice price, so there is hope .
It seems a transitional/classical hoard was released to the market recently. I've been able to get 4 at reasonable prices; whereas I'm pretty sure last year I wouldn't have been able to touch them within 30% of what I paid. Hopefully this influx brings the prices down a little more.
