Athenian Owls are beautiful!

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Seattlite86, Sep 30, 2018.

  1. Seattlite86

    Seattlite86 Outspoken Member

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  3. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    Up until recently, well-struck and well-centered examples brought $1000, but there has been a big hoard discovered and they are appearing on the market and the prices have come down. That's a good price on that one, even though Athena is off-center.
     
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  4. Pishpash

    Pishpash Well-Known Member

    Hard to tell from from the photo but looks as though there could be casting pearls and that would just make me uncomfortable. Look on Vcoins to see various conditions and retail prices.
     
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  5. Seattlite86

    Seattlite86 Outspoken Member

    Very cool. I assume most ancient collectors get excited at hoards being found since it makes acquiring certain coins feasible. I can imagine it also hurts a few that paid the pre-hoard prices. Is there an “ancients for beginners” book out there? I’d be curious to someday dip my foot into this and would need a starting point.
     
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  6. Seattlite86

    Seattlite86 Outspoken Member

    Do you mean around Athena’s face? Don’t worry, this is far outside my budget, since it is also far outside my collecting range and knowledge. I assumed that a dealer with 225,000+ positive feedbacks should be trusted to sell original coins, but you raise a good point.
     
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  7. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    Lanz is a respected dealer.
     
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  8. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    At one time, now they sell tooled, fakes and various other issues. They have been mentioned many times before in threads here.

    I find them garbage, at least their ebay end.
     
  9. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    We recently had a thread recommending this book. At present, I am only part way through it but think it is a decent book for beginners except that it will not prepare you for prices. For that, you need to find a dealer you can trust and buy coins from that dealer.
    https://www.cointalk.com/threads/bo...greek-coins-by-rynearson.323286/#post-3185307
     
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  10. ominus1

    ominus1 Well-Known Member

    i just watched a dram sell for about $480.00 on ebay..if its legit, that's a real good price i'd wager..
     
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  11. Sallent

    Sallent Live long and prosper

    Well, if you don't want to be one of those who pays $2,000+ for a very common classical Athenian tet which survives in the many thousands, you can always cheap out and get a later Atheniat tet with a more realistic portrait of Athena.

    Attica Athena Owl Tet.jpg
    Attica Athens
    AR Tetradrachm (22mm, 17.10 g)
    Athens Mint, 4rth Century BCE
    Helmeted head of Athena, r.
    Owl standing r., head facing, olive sprig and crescent to l; AOE in r. field.
    SNG Copenhagen 63ff.

    They typically run you around $400 to $700 depending on condition and is close enough to the classical one that you can probably imagine the classical Athena face on your later tetradrachm, especially if you drink a pack of this:

    blue-moon-belgian-white-6-pack_0__04427.1477857549.500.659.jpg

    Just don't drive or operate any heavy machinery for a couple of hours afterwards. If you do, make sure to have me on speed dial to help bail you out. :D
     
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2018
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  12. Seattlite86

    Seattlite86 Outspoken Member

    Thank you Doug. I’ll put it on my Christmas list and see if anyone bites. I don’t know why, but no one ever gets me what’s actually on my list. Usually clothes and numismatic items. I’m not ready to buy just yet. I am focused on too many other categories. I really like coins that have Jesus on them and would like to dive into that down the road. I would also love to own an athenian owl some day.
     
  13. Seattlite86

    Seattlite86 Outspoken Member

    Awesome, but still a big price tag. I’ll have to wait until retirement and hope some more hoards get found!
     
  14. pprp

    pprp Well-Known Member

    Take care this one has a test cut on the edge....Have a look at the usual auction venues (cng etc), I am sure that if you try you will eventually get one at a modest price
     
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  15. pprp

    pprp Well-Known Member

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  16. Jay GT4

    Jay GT4 Well-Known Member

    I wouldn't expect the price of Athenian tets to drop that much. Yes it's a large hoard that's being displaced but this is the most iconic ancient coin. Even non collectors recognize it and want one. The well centered, full crests with no test cuts will always bring the money. If there is a small drop in price buy one! It won't last long...
     
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  17. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    $230 got me one this year.

    No smooth surfaces, but I am OK with that. Still has a good portrait and owl itself.

    [​IMG]
    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
     
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2018
  18. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    Some of us are perfectly satisfied with coins with test cuts which are beneath the notice of those who only collect mint state coins. I do not suggest the Athenian owls as a best first coin for beginners because of the ridiculous range of prices between 'grades' and the range of opinions as to what makes one coin better than another. Perfect owls are very expensive. How much discount is appropriate for any combination of many faults is not standardized. Do you want a coin with fine style, good centering, full crest, nose on flan, good feather detail, no wear, perfect surfaces or a host of other little things? Perfect coins make up a fraction of a percent of the ones we see on the market. Selling overgraded/overpriced/overhyped owls to new collectors who know no better is a common business model. Below are three imperfect coins. There are millions of them out there so you must find the one that makes you feel good.
    g41188bb2702.jpg g41190bb0913.jpg g41195bb3159.jpg
     
  19. Chris B

    Chris B Supporter! Supporter

    I was able to pick this one up for what I considered a bargain. Apparently, others didn't like the countermarks and other noise but I think it adds character.

    Greece-Athens 45401.jpg
     
  20. Andres2

    Andres2 Well-Known Member

    I like the Lanz Tetradrachma for under 500 euro

    200 Euro will buy this one, if you go for one with a testcut I like the big ones, pert of the history of these coins imho.

    P1150895testcut4.jpg
     
  21. Jay GT4

    Jay GT4 Well-Known Member

    My first owl that I am perfectly fine with. Test cuts on both sides and punch mark but nice surfaces and Athena looks good. $200 about 7 years ago.


    Owl.jpg

    My latest owl, no test cuts, no punch marks, hoard patina. Much better in hand. I believe it's from the recently discovered hoard. Traded for it, Equivalent of $1000

    Athens.jpg

    And there is everything in between and beyond, on both ends of the spectrum. Find one you like.
     
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