Looks like the cataloguing was done by a salesperson or an ex-sommelier. A deeply toned example with an incredible cabinet nature, this exemplary piece is presented on a delightfully broad flan--a size seemingly never encountered for the denomination. Some cobalt, sea foam green, and magenta highlights electrify the devices, adding even further charm and allure. Without a doubt, one of the finest specimens for the series that will ever be encountered, and worthy of close, in-hand inspection and a sizable bid. Nevertheless, the bidding platform runs smoother than CNG, and the lady auctioning the Greek section had a nice voice, proper tone and proper pace making clear what is the bid she is looking for and waiting for all bids without hurrying. I was happy to get a STARR II/III Athens tet (catalogued as STARR V). I usually don't get cut noses so I had to compromise and also took a considerable risk as we don't know how many of them are still lurking in the hoard...
It's a fresh and vibrant example with a hint of summer sparkle, worth spending time gazing at it longingly in a verdant space with an unmistakable fruity bouquet.
A beautiful coin, especially the reverse. Attica, Athens (353 - 294 B.C) AR Tetradrachm O: Helmeted head of Athena right R: AΘE Owl standing right, head facing, olive sprig and crescent to left; all within incuse square. 16.59g 21 mm Kroll -; HGC 4, 1599 Ex. Numismatik-Naumann, Auction 52, Lot 126
Very nice coin OP. Nearly full crest on a Starr piece is always exciting. Unfortunately, it is extremely common to lose the tip of Athena's nose on full crest pieces. I just had a weird run-in with Stacks. I was going to bid on their bullion auction, went to place a bid and was told I couldn't because I didn't have $25k credit with them. I emailed them and they told me I had to fill out this form with SSN, personal guarantee signature, employment history, yada yada. I explained my credit limit was fine, just looking to buy a few ounces of AU/PT at a time, and was uncomfortable filling all of this stuff out. They basically said tough, unless I fill out their forms for $25k credit limit, I could not bid. I told them I guess I am just not a customer for you, and will spend money at CNG, NN, HA, Roma, as well as local dealers instead. It was weird, never had anything like that. THEY keep the coins until funds clear, and was only going to bid maybe $6k. Why would they need such info? I gave them references of firms I have bought from for 15 years, as much as I wanted to buy from Stacks..... Btw, here is a piece I just picked up.
The funniest lot descriptions (funny by design, that is) tend to be some of Frank Robinson's, imo. Here are some from his current auction: "97 Orodes II, 48.9, VF, off-ctr, edge split, bright silver, sharp portrait. (A VF+ sold for $500, CGB 11/09, bought by an alien from the planet Xorgon who didn't know any better.) MB $40" Lot 132 is a didrachm from Segesta, Sicily. From Frank's description: " A nice bold coin. I segesta strong bid." From lot 173: "...insignificant imperfections that only an OCD nitpicker would notice. But of course you are not one of those" Frank's sales pitch for 176: "A pretty ugly coin." 251: "Ops std l...(Ops was the goddess of wealth, still widely worshipped today. Not to be confused with Oops, the goddess of errors.)" 281: "a thoroughly ordinary Joe Sixpack everyday coin, forgotten by the complacent elites of numismatics." 291: "Uberitas stg l;...Uberitas was the god of chariot-hailing services." A few years back Frank had the following, great email promotion of one of his auctions - I liked it so much I saved the email: "The sale boasts 558 lots, of superlative quality for the most discriminating connoisseurs. Enter the catalog and you will be transported on wings of angels into a veritable dreamworld of numismatic treasures."
I’m going to have that woman write my next Tinder profile. My wife might have to proofread it first though.
LOL; this reminds me of an Alexander III dekadrachm auctioned by ROMA, the description saying "Good. Extremely Rare, and a highly desirable coin on account of being absolutely the worst known example of the type."
I hope a coin expert did the cataloguing and there was a second person flavouring/sugar-coating the descriptions. But I am not holding my breath :-( In my case, they classified the Athens tetradrachm as Group V, which is absolutely not the case. They could have been excused if they just mistook it for IV....BTW I am not decided if it is STARR II or III; Athena's head has features of Group II but the owl is III. I think it is a hybrid transition from II->III.
LOL, yeah, agreed. He has great verbiage, and is fun to glance thru the attributes even in areas I do not buy!
