... I got an owl! I've been on the lookout for this type for over a year now, closely monitoring the results of types sold/hammered. And despite the large influx of the tetradrachms into the market, they still can achieve high results. Finding a coin is a balance between the amount of money I can and am willing to spend, and flaws which temper the price. When I saw this one, it checked all my boxes: a beautifully rendered coin with flaws that make it perfect for me. It's the first time I've ever held a tetradrachm in hand! Can you recall that feeling? The relief of the feathers on the owl, the high edges on the reverse, the history behind this coin; the feel is amazing. I absolutely love it! Will I know continue collecting Greek coins? I don't know, but I will be looking at Greek sections of auctions/sales with more interest, so who knows... Just wanted to share my enthousiasm with this board. Please post anything you want.
Great coin @Limes . Congrats on snagging this very interesting and desirable type. The coin that lived in the Parthenon! Her is mine.
Congrats on finding your sweet spot, @Limes! For being as universal a principle as it is, you put it particularly well --never mind the illustration!
Very nice, congrats. Can never go wrong with an Athens Owl 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
WoW ! I'm barely an Ancient collector and I love it . It's the cooliest . I think I've seen it before in a magazine maybe .
Welcome to the Owl Club! Is this a little test mark that I see on the wing of your owl, or is it something different? Mine has obvious flaws and wear, too, but I like it a lot nonetheless. Tetradrachms are simply impressive in hand: Attica, Athens, AR tetradrachm, ca. 440s–430s BC. Obv: head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves and palmette. Rev: AΘE; Owl standing right, head facing; to left, olive sprig and crescent; all within incuse square. 24mm, 17.14g. Ref: Kroll 8.
Still on the want list. Honestly, this is probably the ideal time to acquire one. All I need to do is find a spare $500+. That’s a really nice one. Congrats.
Congrats, @Limes ! ATTICA OWLS Athens Owl TET 16.8g 22x6-5mm Late Classical 393-300 BC, Sear 2537, SNG Cop. 63 Athens Attica 454-404 BCE AR HemiDrachm 16mm 2.08g Athena frontal eye - facing Owl wings closed olive branches COP 70 SG 2528 Athens 340-317 BCE BC AE 12 Athena attic helmet R- Double bodied Owl with head facing E olive sprigs kalathos RARE BMC 224
Thanks all, for the replies Are you referring to the little hole? I'm not quite sure what it is. It's more present on the photo's then in hand. There are sellers where a good deal is possible. I feel a bit burdened to share the hammer price (ex fees and shipping) of my specimen, but it was well below $500 (or, 379 BP)...
I would assume that the large flaw on the obverse would make the coin hard to sell so you were able to get a lot more in the way of completeness for the money. We usually see test cuts that drop the coin price by a massive amount but I suspect this one would not be as down-priced as one with a test cut. It is always great when the right coin finds the right collection. Congratulations.
I am strange for a host of reasons, not the least of which is that, were I to acquire an Athenian owl, I think I would prefer one with the test cut. I think it says something interesting about the economic contexts of that coin’s circulation.
I've yet to buy one as I focus almost exclusively on Roman Imperial and Provincial, with a few coins of the diadochoi and successors thrown in. Sure a nice example @Limes
Precisely! Just like bankers' marks on Roman Republican and peck marks on late Anglo-Saxon. Some social history along with the political and cultural sides; covering all bases, so to speak. ...Magnificent example, @Limes, ...um, btw. Sorry; takes some of us longer....
Congrats Limes, thats a beauty. I think its a small countermark on Athena's cheek. I have one with a small testcut (obverse top) and one with a serious testcut
