Recently I purchased a coin from FSR coin shop. It's a type I have drooled over for many years, but never pulled the proverbial trigger. With what seems like a release of a hoard of these coins, prices have come down some, but not a lot. Anyway, the coin: I've read many a post here on CT and elsewhere about these coins, but at my advanced age I do not recall the information enough to fully attribute this coin. For example, I know there are Starr Groups, but in which group this coin lands I have no idea. When I look through my books and on-line resources, I can't even identify the time frame in which this coin was struck. In other words, for those of you in the know, I need help. I can't even catalog the coin properly without input from ya'll. So please indulge my ignorance. BTW, the coin is marvelous in-hand. The heft of the coin is substantial at 17.74g with a diameter at 27mm at it's widest cross section. Please help me out, and post any Athenian coin, owl or otherwise. Thanks in advance
From my limited knowledge, the artistic style (smaller eyes) a appears to be a bit later than the extremely popular Archaic head. I believe Athenian owls had at least three phases: Archaic, post-Archaic, and New Style (probably not the official names). This seems to be post-archaic, but that's all I can offer
Beautiful coin , they find a big hoar of 4500 Athena coins and a dealer bought all , price are a bit lower but not so low as beautiful ones good grade still remain pricey.
Fixed your post Nice coin ! it could be classified as Flament group III dating 420-404 BC an attempt of classification of the athenian coinage is summarized here : http://www.forumfw.com/t15826-chronologie-et-identification-des-tetradrachmes-d-athenes
Great coin. I will have a look in Flament and let you know of the number of the die match, I pretty sure I have seen this die again. You should probably verify the weight, 17.74 is well above the normal range, the vast majority of owl tets of this period are between 17.0-17.3g.
James, Congratulations on your score ! You are now part of the Numismatic Owl Fraternity. pprp is right about the weight, it seems suspiciously high . Pictured below is the one I scored last year . Athens, 454 - 404 BC, AR tetradrachm: 17.22 gm, 25 mm, 3 h. SNG Copenhagen 31.
I just double checked the weight. I don't know how I wrote down 17.74 when it actuality weighs 17.24g. I appreciate all the information above. Anything additional would be fantastic .
Sometime we need a strong Italian coffee. Don’t worry all auction house do sometime this type of mistake if still they weight all coins are sometimes when they are in rush they tend to make copy paste errors.
Wow, a super nice buy, Bing. Congrats. 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 MYSIA.,Pergamon (200 - 133 B.C.) Æ16 O: Helmeted head of Athena right. R: AΘΗ-ΝΑΣ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ, owl standing facing on palm, with wings spread, A monogram left and AP right. 3.6g 16mm SNG von Aulock 1375-6 var; SNG Copenhagen 388 var
I have two other Athenian owls, but they were relatively easy to classify. ATTICA ATHENS AR Tetradrachm OBVERSE: Helmeted head of Athena right, in crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves over visor & a spiral palmette on the bowl; eye in profile REVERSE: AQE, owl standing right, head facing; olive sprig & crescent behind Struck at Athens 350-300 BC 16.9g, 22mm Sg2537 ATHENS ATTICA AR Tetradrachm OBVERSE: Helmeted head of Athena right REVERSE: Owl standing right, head facing, on overturned amphora; to left, eagle standing right on thunderbolt; Gamma on amphora, ΗΡΑ in exergue; all within laurel wreath Struck at Athens Epigene-, Sosandros and Eume(nes)-, magistrates. September-October 126/25 or 125/24 BC 16.8g, 30mm Thompson 477a ex. HJB
@Bing, in connection with the recent NYINC, Coins Weekly published a special issue which contains an article about the history of the Athenian Owl coins, together with a brief catalog at the end showing the primary types. They made the whole issue available as a free download at https://muenzenwoche.de/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/MWSpezial13_NYINC_ebook.pdf. The article begins at p. 12 of the pdf, and the catalog is at pp. 30-31. Perhaps you'll find it informative.
And here's a lengthy article that closely analyzes, and attempts to date, the different varieties within the "Classical Owl" and other types: https://rg.ancients.info/owls/ .