This was a major one checked off my want list. Looked at so many of these I got tired of looking at them. Finally I decided on this one. Had never handled one in real life. The bust of Athena on the obverse is usually so large that some, if not a major part of the design is usually cut off. This one is no different. I guess you just have to pick what part of the design you want to see the most. The relief is crazy. Required a thicker holder. This is a bit over one half ounce of silver. It dwarfs the little, debased, Roman denarii that I've been collecting lately. Strike 5/Surface 3. I don't know what's wrong with the surface other than it is notated with "scratches". There's a fine scratch on the cheek that is difficult to see.
nice score been trying to obtain on but the prices have been getting out of hand the last time i chequed on them . . . =/
When it comes to the Owl, I'm also in the "major one to check off my list" category. I just can't get myself to pull the trigger though because I feel no sense of urgency with this coin, as there are always plenty to pick from in almost every auction (and always will be). My fear is that I'll blow my current budget on an Owl and then something will immediately come along that is only available every couple of years . Nice coin though, I'd certainly be happy with that one.
