Mysia, Pergamon AE16 crested helmet Athena, Owl facing with wings spread - Merry Christmas to me

A good friend surprised me with an early Christmas present! We were discussing how much I liked this little bronze owl coin when he said “Merry Christmas”.


In hand, the facing owl is plain as day and the Helmeted Athena is strong. However, much of the details elsewhere on the coin have been erased by time. I haven’t been home to look-up this puppy but it appears that there were some incuse letters (inverse relief) below the owl. Based upon what I see & my friend’s original tag here is my label:


MYSIA, Pergamon
AE 16
200-100 B.C.

2.14 grams, 16 mm
Obv: Athena head right with star on crested helmet.
Rev: Owl standing facing with wings spread on palm branch. No monograms to right or left (with some residual ATHENA/NIKEPHO inverse relief letters above & below.

Grade: Overall a Fine with the owl sharp & Crested helmet sharp with most other details lost to corrosion.
Other: SG3963v (monograms), SNG Cop 384-92v (same).
Gift from fellow numismatist Dec 2014.

 

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Wow, that's a nice friend (congrats)

I don't have any "real/local friends" that collect coins ... all of my local friends give me presents from my other hobbie (*hic*)

... I'm jealous (that's a very cool addition)

 

Wow, nice addition to your owl collection. great gift..

 

I need a friend like that (are you listening Ancient Joe?). Nice coin

 

Nice little bronze, I always liked that type.

 

Love the reverse

 

nice never seen Own with spread wings.

 

That's a nice piece.
But the owl looks a little fat.

 

It's a nice coin. I like this type very much and intend to add one to my collection next year.

 

I'm not sure what you were seeing as incuse letters but comparing to the above might make some of the remaining relief make more sense. Note at the bottom that the phi looks like an I with a dot in the middle while the O is just a dot. Both are standard forms. Following those two is a regular size P (rho). Some examples on acsearch also show the OY following the P but most lose them to small flans. There are several on vcoins at present including one I'd call very reasonable (better than mine with nice surfaces) and one several times the price that is hardly better. Go figure.

 

As I stated earlier, C89 => that's a sweet new addition (congrats) ...

Oh, and cool coin to you as well, Doug (cheers) ...

Hmmm? ... well, the only Mysia Pergamon example I have is this AR baby

Mysia – PERGAMON,
Cistophoric Tetradrachm
123 - 104 BC
Diameter: 27 mm
Weight: 12.4 grams
Obverse: Cista mystica within ivy wreath
Reverse: two serpents entwined around bowcase; BO above




... snakes, anyone?