A pharaonic owl, with an interesting counterstamp - owl within an owl?

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by robinjojo, Dec 24, 2021.

  1. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    This coin arrived today, somewhat earlier than I expected. It is a pharaonic owl that was produced in the 4th century BC, in response to the disruption of the flow of coinage from Athens following the end of the Peloponnesian War.

    While this coin is quite typical of owls produced at the time - crudely engraved and struck - this coin does have an interesting countermark on the reverse.

    These coins must have seen extensive circulation in Egypt, the Levant and elsewhere, as many have evidence of countermarks, graffiti (presumably from merchants), and various gouges and many test cuts.

    The countermark on this coin appears to be a figure, not a character or characters, as far as I can determine. The shape of the figure suggests an owl, in the Egyptian style, with two ears above its head, in the style of the owl in the second photo, a 4th century BC Phoenician shekel (not my coin).

    16.93 grams

    D-Camera Athens pharaonic owl, 4th cen BC possible owl cs 16.93g Isreal 12-24-21.jpg

    Poenicia shekel, 4th century BC 12-24-21.jpg


    What do you think?

    Thanks & Happy Holidays
     
    Last edited: Dec 24, 2021
    Jay GT4, TIF, Volodya and 12 others like this.
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  3. Broucheion

    Broucheion Well-Known Member

  4. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    It just occurred to me that the counterstamp might be figure, facing right, wearing a pharaonic headdress.
     
  5. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    A long while back I passed up the opportunity (since regretted) for an owl c/m in an incuse square that was the right size and style to have been made by an obol reverse die. I thought it was very interesting but someone else wanted it more.
     
    TIF likes this.
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