So today I photographed an owl that I have owned for several years, patiently waiting for its procrastinating owner to, oh, get on with it! This coin came to me in a NGC holder which I should crack open and which I still might do. It is a imitative owl from Qataban, South Arabia, circa 350-300 BC. The coin is not without faults, notably some corrosion spots on the obverse. Otherwise the overall condition is quite nice. What distinguishes this owl from many other Qataban imitations is the presence of a monogram on the obverse, as well as the reverse. I have not identified the obverse monogram, on the neck guard. The reverse monogram is the royal Qatabanian monogram. The label that accompanied this coin notes that it is apparently a unlisted type due to the obverse monogram. This coin label notes the following attributions: "Van Alfen, Studies, Type QI.C, unlisted variety (monogram on obverse); CAF 1.Oa4 variety (same); Huth -; HGC 10. 707." I have seen other Qataban owls with the royal monogram on the reverse, but do others exist with the obverse monogram? Thanks 16.42 grams Please post your imitations or anything else.
Nice Qataban! This one seems to have a similar obverse monogram: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2461415
It is graded by NGC a choice XF, with a subgrade of 5 for strike and 4 for surfaces. I would grade the coin XF taking into account the corrosion spots and the very good centering.
Thanks for the link. I think the monogram is the same as the CNG example: MQ. I'll make a notation on the coin's label.
Probably the monogram on the neck-guard of your coin should be read ayin - daleth. There are many other Qatabanian monograms on Athena's helmet neck-guard, and for all denominations (not my coins! the 3rd one is your coin):
