I am not sure if I posted this coin in another thread. I don't have an earlier jpg file of it, so I took a photo of it today. If this coin did appear before, I apologize - I just don't remember. I have owned this owl since July 1991, when I acquired it from Harlan J Berk. For most of the years that it has been part of the collection, I assumed it is an Athenian owl, intermediate style, fourth century BCE. Now, as I look at it, I definitely think is it an imitation, possibly from Parthenia or Bactria. It could also be from a satrap in Mesopotamia or the Levant, fourth century BCE. I did consider that this coin might be a Quadridigité style type, based on the similarity of the obverse palmette to the treatment of it in that type, but the reverse of this coin is very unlike any that I have seen for that type. Perhaps a Quadridigité style owl was used as the prototype for this coin. 16.96 grams What really stands out on the obverse is the unusual treatment of the helmet's rim, above the hair line. There is a distinct curve to the end of it above the ear. There is also a small countermark, just below the nose. The reverse has an owl that seems much more in keeping with a parrot, especially in the treatment of the eyes and prominent beak. What do you think? If you have a coin with some element that is supposed to be one thing, but really looks like something quite different, please post it, or anything else you wish. Owls of any feather are always welcome!
While I am no specialist in these, I see no way the coin is official from the Athens mint. Beyond that I have nothing to offer except what I would were the coin mine. You bought it from Berk in 1991. in 2021, Berk offers an authentication service. https://www.hjbltd.com/#!/article/462-hjbs-ancient-coin-verified-authenticity-program I'd not ask amateurs here but I would ask Berk. However: I looked up your coin in Berk catalog 67 lot 119 and quote from that listing: "119. ATTIC ATHENS; 293-166 BC. Tetradrachm 16.96g. Another highly unusual coin as the previous lot. Owl looks like he's wearing long underwear. EF 500" This catalog listed ten owls with lots 118 and 119 flagged as 'Highly unusual' and lot 120 as a 'contemporary imitation'. In my opinion, you coin could have been listed like 120 but my opinion and $5 will get you a cup of coffee in some places. I wonder what Berk would say if you applied for a refund. After all, it has only been 30 years. I have no doubt that Berk's guarantee of authenticity is good for much longer than 30 years! However there is no doubt in my mind that this coin was properly described and you will have to search high and low to find a better example of an owl that looks like he's wearing long underwear. This coin accompanied by a Berk signed certificate quoting the 'long underwear' ID should be worth more than a whole bathtub full of designer coffee. Post like this are making it hard for me to get rid of my collection of old catalogs. I know they will go out for recycle when I die but I would miss being able to look up things from back in the 'good old days' when I was working and occasionally could afford a coin from dealers like Berk.
Thanks I think if I looked around in my old piles of catalogs, I might find the relevant Berk "Buy or Bid" sale. I don't mind that it is very likely an imitation. Our knowledge about these and other coins is constantly evolving. I am sure that his coin is a contemporary imitation, made in the east, and not a modern copy or fake.
There are quite a few Bactrian owls at Zeno. I'm not expert in either the originals or the imitations so all I can really help with is the link. Perhaps it will be of help. There are likely more eastern owls in other Zeno categories.
Thank you for the link. I've noticed, especially in the Roma auctions that very similar imitative owls are listed as Bactrian, or from Parthia, or from an unknown satrap. The Bactrian coins have various symbols that must act as control marks, notably grapes and the prow of a ship. Also, the monogram MA appears on the obverse, behind the portrait, with some of the coins. Here's one such coin, from Roma Auction XX, lot 334. Bactria, "Athenian Series", 261-239 BCE Tetradrachm 16.64 grams This coin has a bunch of grapes to the left of the owl, on the reverse. While different from the OP coin in many ways, this owl does have the edge of the helmet ending in a curve above the ear, on the obverse similar the "parrot" owl in my first post.
Hahaha! Beautiful hookbill My wife and I are parrot owners and I bought this coin because the eagle is so clearly trying to look like a parrot!
Very similar. The Leu auction Bactrian owl has the "MA" to the left of the portrait. Apparently most of these coins came out of a large hoard discovered in the early 1960s.
