First owl tet

I have always liked the iconic owl tet of Athens, and finally decided to buy one. This one flew in from London (picked up from a Roma auction a couple of months back). I was drawn to the full crest and archaic smile on the obverse. The owl and the theta are a little wimpy, but I'm happy with my buy. It's lightly toned and a bit dirty (literally) - can anyone recommend a gentle cleaning method? You can see some encrusted dirt by the olive spring and in the letter E.



Athens AR Tetradrachm
Circa 454-404 BC
Obverse: Head of Athena right, wearing earring, necklace, and crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves over visor and a spiral palmette on the bowl.
Reverse: Owl standing right with head facing, olive sprig with berry and crescent in upper left field, AΘE to right; all within incuse square.
References: Kroll 8; SNG Copenhagen 31; Dewing 1591-8.
Size: 24mm, 10h.
Weight: 17.01g

 

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Congratulations on a great win! The coin looks perfect - leave it be, no more cleaning. If you want clean coins, collect Morgan Dollars.

 

That is a nice example!

A little ancient dirt looks good on a 2400 year old coin.

I would leave it alone too.

John

 

Dont clean it. You will only devalue the coin!

 

Sounds like good advice to me, I will leave it alone. Thanks!

Does anyone else have an owl they'd like to share?

 

That's a beauty! The crest is superb!

Here's my budget example, also from Roma (for 70GBP):

 

Very nice example.

 

Really nice coin. I wish I had one to share, but afraid not. Maybe someday...

 

A nice looking coin. Yeah don't clean it

 

That's a beautiful coin. Don't touch it. I have a superb example currently sitting on my long want list.

 

WOW!! That's an incredible coin ...that should be left just as it is. My budget example:

 

Very nice example, congrats.

 

My first and only Owl Tetradrachm:


Attica, Athens
AR Tetradrachm, 25mm, 17g, 3h, 449-404 BC
Obverse: Helmeted head of Athena right, archaic eye.
Reverse: AΘΕ; Owl right, tail as a single prong.
References: Cf. SNG Copenhagen 1621
Courtesy of John Anthony!

 

Really nice example!

 

I enjoy cleaning ancients - but even this newbie only cleans those ancients so crusted and gunky that there is no way to know exactly what the heck is hidden under there. When I have obtained a coin from John Anthony and it has a bit of dust or dirt built up in a crevice like your coin, I leave that right where it is. It does not hamper me from knowing and enjoying what I have in my hand so it doesn't bother me at all.

I like your coin. I don't think your owl is wimpy - but I do tend to go for the studious look!

 

Beautiful coin, @jb_depew ! I've been saving up for one of these but I keep spending my savings on other coins.

 

That is an absolutely gorgeous owl tet of Athens @jb_depew! I have two Athens tets.

early style 449-413 BC


later style 393-300 BC

 

I have known a specialist in these who had over a hundred and an excuse for why each was significantly different. Most people get one and then realize there could be another in their future but don't really study the styles. I'm in the middle. I really would like an Archaic tet but the prices make it likely that won't be happening.
These coins were made of good silver which is soft enough to wear and scratch easily. They vary greatly in centering and style. Those factors explain why you see them for $100 and $10,000. Just be sure you understand what factors did and should affect the price of the one that calls your name.
Classical (later 5th century)

Later (4th century)

 

I wouldn't clean it as it looks great!

 

Here's mine, B'day gift from my wife last year



ATTICA, Athens. Circa 454-404 BC. AR Tetradrachm
Helmeted head of Athena right, with frontal eye
Owl standing right, head facing, olive sprig and crescent behind, all within incuse square. ΑΘΕ in the right field
24mm, 17.08 g, 8h
Ref : Kroll # 8; HGC # 4,1597

Q