Featured My graduation gift: An Athenian Owl Tetradrachm

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by TypeCoin971793, Dec 10, 2019.

  1. TypeCoin971793

    TypeCoin971793 Just a random guy on the internet

    As some of you know, I am currently in college, but I graduate in just a few days. I have one final left, but I will literally pass the class even if I don’t take the final, so I know I will be graduating. I will be graduating summa cum laude from Georgia Tech with a degree in Aerospace Engineering, which in itself is no easy feat. On top of it all, I will be graduating with no student debt and a job lined up!

    I will be starting my job as a Flight Test Engineer for a DoD contractor in Huntsville, AL in January, which I am extremely excited about. What it basically entails is studying the system that will be tested, planning the flight test, preparing against safety concerns to mitigate them, executing the flight test while monitoring systems in real time (often on board the aircraft), and then post-processing the data to be used in a certification/airworthiness report.

    So this coin is a gift to myself, purchased with money made from coin dealing this summer. I decided I wanted the most iconic ancient coin: an Athenian owl tetradrachm. But it could not just be any owl tet; it had to meet several criteria. First, it had to be high-grade and lustrous with no issues. It also had to be well-centered with the crest/nose/necklace/hair mostly on the flan. The reverse also had to have good style and the squareness of the punch had to be readily visible. All this with a budget of $1200. As a result, my options were limited to the recent hoard coins. After months of searching, I decided upon this one:

    EDF5CBA4-A91F-48DD-AA2C-43CBFA01FBCC.jpeg

    It was in an NGC holder as it was bought in a Heritage auction, but as you can see, she is very happy to be free. :) I think several of you would approve of my choice.

    Let’s see your owls!
     
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  3. Andres2

    Andres2 Well-Known Member

    Congrats with your amazing owl, and success in your new job Typecoin

    P1150895testcut4.jpg
     
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  4. Theodosius

    Theodosius Fine Style Seeker

    Congratulations on graduating from a tough school in a challenging discipline. We are always impressed with Georgia Tech grads where I work. Good luck with your career.

    That is a really sweet owl, one of the nicest you could ask for.

    John
     
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  5. CoinBlazer

    CoinBlazer Numismatic Enthusiast

    Congrats on both feats!
     
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  6. Caesar_Augustus

    Caesar_Augustus Well-Known Member

    Congratulations! :D I'm graduating in February. I know that feel.
     
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  7. Seattlite86

    Seattlite86 Outspoken Member

    Congratulations and you found a beautiful coin there. Well done on the graduation and job you landed.
     
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  8. Chris B

    Chris B Supporter! Supporter

    Congratulations on your accomplishment. Here is my 1 lone owl. Not as nice as yours. I picked this one partially because of the banker's marks.

    Greece-Athens 45401.jpg
     
  9. zumbly

    zumbly Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana

    Congrats on the debt-free graduation, what sounds like an excellent job lined up, and that absolutely stunning Owl. Well done on all counts!

    [​IMG]
     
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  10. Cucumbor

    Cucumbor Well-Known Member

    Congrats on the graduation and a well deserved gift to yourself.
    An iconic coin for an event you will remember your owl life ;) !

    My own owl, gift from my wife for my 2016 B'day

    [​IMG]
    ATTICA, Athens. Circa 454-404 BC. AR Tetradrachm
    Helmeted head of Athena right, with frontal eye
    Owl standing right, head facing, olive sprig and crescent behind, all within incuse square. ΑΘΕ in the right field
    24mm, 17.08 g, 8h
    Ref : Kroll # 8; HGC # 4,1597

    Q
     
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  11. TheRed

    TheRed Well-Known Member

    Congratulations on both graduation and impending employment @TypeCoin971793. That owl is a beautiful and well deserved gift. You certainly picked a beautiful coin. I'll add a new style beauty to the flock.
    Screenshot_2017-05-10-15-30-34-1.png
     
  12. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    Very nice owl. Congrats on your academic achievement and I wish you success in your impending career.
     
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  13. Orielensis

    Orielensis Well-Known Member

    Let me join the owl party and congratulate you on graduating and on the new job. Well done! (Also, that's a splendid owl.)

    Magna Graecia – Attica, Athen, tetradrachme.png
    Attica, Athens, AR tetradrachm, ca. 440s–430s BC. Obv: head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves and palmette. Rev: AΘE; Owl standing right, head facing; to left, olive sprig and crescent; all within incuse square. 24mm, 17.14g. Ref: Kroll 8.
     
  14. thejewk

    thejewk Well-Known Member

    Well done bud, enjoy your treat. It's a nice one for sure.
     
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  15. octavius

    octavius Well-Known Member

    I have no owl to post, but I am very happy to post my sincerest congratulations on your terrific and hard-earned achievement. You will appreciate what you did for many, many years to come.
    I'm glad you treated yourself to that Owl - I believe you deserve it.
     
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  16. rrdenarius

    rrdenarius non omnibus dormio Supporter

    Congrats, your owl is superbe, Splendido or should I say Vorzüglich and that is an understatement. You had good criteria for choosing.
    My owl is a bit more pedestrian, and affordable.
    DSCN0260 owl.JPG DSCN0261 owl rev.JPG
    Best wishes in your future endeavors. I remember my time in Atlanta fondly. The Aerospace building was impressive in my time, but AE students were hard to find.
    IMG_4690 ECH.76.JPG
     
  17. Severus Alexander

    Severus Alexander find me at NumisForums

    Congrats on both the graduation and the great job!! That is a beautiful and richly deserved reward you got yourself, just like the one I want but haven't yet managed to snag. :shame:
     
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  18. Al Kowsky

    Al Kowsky Well-Known Member

    TypeCoin971793, Congratulations on your scholastic achievement :D! Your coin was a nice pick & worthy of your accomplishment. Your Owl can now join the CT family of Ornithology :rolleyes:.
     
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  19. Deacon Ray

    Deacon Ray Artist & Historian Supporter

    Congratulations on your graduation and your Attica Athens Tetradrachm, @TypeCoin971793 ! Even though you could pass and graduate without taking the final, my advice is to you is, ace that exam and slam-dunk that Aerospace Engineering degree.

    I’m afraid that I’m only a fringe member of the owl club. Maybe that will change in the future.

    OWL4.jpg
     
    Last edited: Dec 10, 2019
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  20. Nicholas Molinari

    Nicholas Molinari Well-Known Member

    Congrats—and nice coin!
     
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  21. TypeCoin971793

    TypeCoin971793 Just a random guy on the internet

    You might be pleased to know that the Aerospace buildings have not been updated one bit since your time. ;)
     
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