An Athens tetradrachm is a big one on my want list, but I was lucky enough to score a drachm instead. I got it at the starting price. It could use some toning but I'm pretty happy with it. Attica. Athens circa 454-404 BC. Drachm AR 13mm., 4,13g. 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 in upper left field, all within incuse square. very fine Kroll 10; HGC 4, 1631. Feel free to pile your coins of Athens
Nice little owl. Got a big version, not the small. 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
Nice drachms are harder to find than tetradrachms. My first coin of Athens was also a drachm a bit over 30 years ago. Yours is much better. Athens issued a range of silver coins from 1/8 obol to ten drachms. By far most common are the popular tetradrachms. Daily commerce relied on them all but tetradrachms were the main store of large sums. The existence of them by the potful including coins that never were spent singly has given us many perfect specimens. It will be harder to assemble the rest of the set in high grade. For that matter, a set in any grade is a challenge that requires luck and well as financing. hemidrachm or triobol obol (1/6 drachm) 3/4 obol hemiobol 1/4 obol (probably the worst known specimen) I lack the 1/8 obol, didrachm and dekadrachm. There are also bronzes but that is another post.
Nice Drachm @randygeki ! Cool design, and cool that it is not the "typical " Athens Tet. I like the wear... lotsa hands that Drachm been in! Here are a few of my Athens: Athens Attica 454-404 BCE ARr hemidrachm 16mm 2.08g Athena frontal eye - facing Owl wings closed olive branches COP 70 SG 2528 Athens 340-317 BCE BC AE 12 Athena attic helmet R- Double bodied Owl with head facing E olive sprigs kalathos RARE BMC 224 Athens AE19 c 87-86 BCE Time of SULLA Athena Zeus striding, brandishing thunderbolt, A-TH-E Star between 2 Cresents Sear Grk 2567 Sear states: "This type is associated with the precious-metal issues in the name of King Mithradates of Pontos." Here is one of my funky Tets: Athens Owl Tet 16.8g 22x6-5mm
I did get to play some some nice ancients recently too, at the local shop. I snapped a pic of a couple.
