What's in a smile? Everything.

At this point in my life, with the ongoing concerns about the pandemic, a depressing world situation, the drought (lowest snow pack in the Sierras in 70 years), a patched up face after minor surgery (not worthy of Frankenstein's monster), and just a state of general isolation, a smile comes my way.

There have been numerous discussions on CT delving into the subject of style, be it Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Islamic and other ancient coins. The debate between style and quality, such as overall grade, is, after all, a purely subjective, personal perspective. Is a coin in uncirculated condition inherently preferable to one in less pristine condition, but with better "style"? In my collecting efforts over the years I, personally, lean towards style, as defined within the context of a given coinage.

With Athenian coinage, the modeling of Athena's profile, and specifically getting the archaic smile right, is of great importance, especially with the early classical owls. As fellow CT members know, the quality can run the gambit, from the fine style of the decadrachms to the so-so styling, when portrait proportions shift in a less natural direction, as the coinage moves towards the period of high output, where speed and quantity determined, in large part, the quality of the engraving.

And so here is the owl that arrived today from a troubled Europe. I believe it is a Starr Group III owl, circa 465 BC, but it also has characteristics of Group II owls, particularly with the wonderful archaic smile, very reminiscent of the decadrachms of Group II. The palmette has moved more towards the lower part of the first laurel leaf and the owl's tail a wing are just above the foot, all indications of a Starr Group III owl. On the other hand the laurel leaves are without stems, something that I've seen in some Group II owls. So, perhaps this is one of those early Group III owls, with hints of Group II. I've plenty of time to try figuring this out.

For sure it is not mint state, but mint state isn't everything in my book.

16.95 grams



So, please post as you wish. I look forward to your comments and owls!

Thanks

 

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Fabulous smile

Mine has eyelash...



Q

 

Nice centering and strike!

 

That's an excellent coin, and likely not from the recent hoard based on its patina. Congratulations!

 

Great smile!


Here’s another friendly Athena. I gave this coin to my daughter, for her confirmation last summer.

 

Thank you.

Are you referring to the massive hoard from Turkey? I think that hoard was almost totally comprised of later classical owls.

 

A lovely coin!

 

That's a nice coin, Bing, with a razor sharp strike and excellent centering. New dies, or nearly new dies must have been used for striking this coin.

 

Athens Ar Tetradrachm 475-465 BC. Obv head of Athena right wearing an Attic style helmet and flashing a great big happy smile. Rv Owl standing right head facing , to right olive sprig and crescent all within a square punch. Star Group IV (Early) HGC 1995 17.13 grms 23 mm This is my earliest Starr Group owl and it is the only coin I actually purchased that was part of the recent hoard. I find that the obverse of this coin at the Starr group III shown by @robinjojo has a very similar vibe, thought the reverses are very much different. Though minted at the same time and under similar constraints the changes in the obverse appears to be independent to that of the reverse. At some point I would like to purchase a Starr Group tetradrachm that is earlier than the ones I now have so Well Done @robinjojo

 

There are a lot of grey areas when trying to classify these coins by Starr group. I agree that stylistically the obverses and reverses often deviate in terms of evolution, with the group distinctions becoming blurry to the point were attribution to one group or another group can become quite problematic.

I love your owl, Terrance. That reverse, especially, is stunning, and the obverse is lovely.

 

Excellent coin. I only have an archaic tetradrachm from Athens, but if I was to get another, one like yours is definitely what I would go for. Well done.

 

Beautiful coin with a classic archaic smile, @robinjojo. Thanks for sharing.
I hope to pickup a Starr IV in the future.

Here is one of my owl tetradrachms that shows some archaic features.

 

Nice owl!

The transitional classical types have some of the most appealing reverses. The owl on the reverse of your coin has a lot of character, leaning to the right, head tilted, and a plump well proportioned body, a much more appealing design compared to the stiff owl rendered on my coin.

A nice obverse, as well!

 

Your coin has a great smile and overall style. Here is my mid-mass coinage issue:

 

That is truly exceptional centering and strike (wonderful crest) on a basically oval flan. A lovely coin!

 

I completely missed this thread last night. Your well-being is my primary concern and perhaps I can pass on some comfort.

While I'm extremely Woody Allen-ish about small matters (coins shipped via non-postal means, driving in snow, etc.), I usually hold up well under big-picture items. Generally speaking, conflict and ephemeral leaders are as old as time itself. It is the way of the world. Isolation is the one to watch out for, but it can be countered. My free and non-partisan advice; turn off the news and pop culture for a month and see how much happier you'll be. Hint; a lot.


I really enjoyed the 350s-260s B.C. thread. How about one for the remaining coinage up to the New Style issues? That seems to be a completely overlooked period.

 

robinjojo, Your Athena has an unusually attractive smile ! It's nice to see an Owl that most likely didn't come from the massive hoard that is still being diffused among the collecting community . The Owl in my collection was in an old European collection too, it's the most common type with just a touch of wear on the high points .


Athens. 454-404 BC. AR Tetradrachm: 17.22 gm, 25 mm, 3 h.

 

Thank you for your concern and thoughtful comment. Tis a strange world we live in these days, with so much information at our finger tips and yet, at the same time, become more singular in our daily lives, through necessity (pandemic) and socially, at least in terms of actual human contact. I like to think that I have adapted to these conditions, being a natural introvert, and to a degree I have, but I must say that the going has not been easy, as it has been for so many others, and I appreciate CT as a conduit to connect with fellow collectors.

I will put together my new style owls for another thread some time in the future. I know that there are CT members with more extensive and excellent new style owls out there, so I hope such a thread will be enhanced with their contributions in this complex period of Athenian coinage.