Greek Owl Coin

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by caffers2, May 19, 2020.

  1. caffers2

    caffers2 Active Member

    FF223E41-128E-41B2-8B0D-2826F4660CE9.png 83227571-DBC1-4225-81A8-A9AD4CC967D5.png My latest purchase . Always wanted one. I know the basic details of the coin, could anyone tell me the year minted or how I might tell this ect? Many thanks.
     
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  3. coin_nut

    coin_nut Well-Known Member

    Its a neat looking coin. I just fear that some ancient expert will be saying "Fake!" real soon.
     
  4. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    The coin looks OK to me, a nice example.
     
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  5. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    Pretty sure it's authentic. You can tell by the edge of the flan showing some variation, resulting from a strike rather than a cast. Nice pick-up.
     
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  6. philologus_1

    philologus_1 Supporter! Supporter

    Whether it is authentic or not, I strongly suggest reading the below link from which you will gain knowledge, and will also become able to approximately date your coin. Reid Goldsborough has packed much excellent information about these types into the web page. I have always found it more educational and helpful to have to dig for answers. :)

    https://rg.ancients.info/owls/
     
  7. caffers2

    caffers2 Active Member

    Wonderful thank you, I’m an experienced coin and antiquities collector but new to Greek do the guy I got it off is extremely reliable and reputable so I know it’s genuine.
    Thank you for the link I will enjoy reading later!
     
  8. DonnaML

    DonnaML Well-Known Member

    You may also want to read this recent thread, in which the Goldsborough article is cited, and the subject of identifying Athenian "mass" owl coinage -- which yours appears to be; its obverse doesn't look so different from the one I posted in that thread -- is discussed at length: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/in-search-of-a-starr-group-v-owl.359796/. (The "Starr Groups" predate the "mass" owl coinage [to which the Flament numbers apply], and the "mass" owl coinage predates the "New Style" owl coinage.)
     
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  9. caffers2

    caffers2 Active Member

    Fascinating! Thanks for pointing me in right direction. Value wise how do the mass style compare with new style?
    Would anyone care to throw an estimate on my coin in us $.
     
  10. happy_collector

    happy_collector Well-Known Member

    Nice pickup, @caffers2. I am sure it will be a good addition to your antiquities collection.

    Do you collect Greek or Roman antiquities? I used to collect some inexpensive Roman items. Great to complement with coins. :happy:
     
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  11. Muzyck

    Muzyck Rabbits!

    Nice pick up. I purchased one on April 23rd and it is lost in the mail as of today.
     
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  12. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    That's a very nicely centered coin, with good preservation as well. It's hard to nail down a specific date. The eye is opening up, so that would but your coin towards the later part of the 5th century, perhaps around 410 BC?

    I've seen that square countermark on the obverse before. It could be a symbol or letter, possibly a Coptic ti, but this is just a guess.

    Ancient Coptic Alphabet.jpg
     
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  13. DonnaML

    DonnaML Well-Known Member

    I've been sporadically collecting Greek, Roman, and Egyptian antiquities (within my limited budget!) since the 1980s. I joined Coin Talk only a few months ago, but have posted photos of quite a few of them, some in the more recent pages of a thread which has been ongoing for a couple of years: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/ancient-but-not-a-coin-artifacts-thread-post-em.307997/. And some in this thread, too, beginning with this post: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/do-you-display-any-of-your-coins.356922/page-2#post-4271559.
     
  14. caffers2

    caffers2 Active Member

    I will be onto that link later for sure! I collect cylinder seals but like most cultures and have things from Egypt, Greece, Roman, Chinese (Lived there for 8 Years and did metal detecting there), I use them to teach children also to spark their interest.
     
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  15. caffers2

    caffers2 Active Member

    Wonderful thank you!
     
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  16. caffers2

    caffers2 Active Member

    See above! Yes can understand different aspects of the culture through items other than coins. Both are great!
     
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  17. caffers2

    caffers2 Active Member

    Very interesting, not sure if that is the actual stamp or not, maybe someone else can clarify but it's very interesting!
     
  18. happy_collector

    happy_collector Well-Known Member

    Totally agree.
     
  19. Kentucky

    Kentucky Supporter! Supporter

    Why say that if you don't know?
     
  20. caffers2

    caffers2 Active Member

    I did wonder that. Perhaps he thought I was a fool lol. A lot of fakes of these out there I guess.
     
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  21. Kentucky

    Kentucky Supporter! Supporter

    And to be honest, I comment on a lot of posts just wanting to follow the discussion. BTW, LOVE your owl, I have a couple of real dogs...BUT THEY ARE OWLS!
     
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