Ancient Greek. As with Latin, various vowels and diphthongs are pronounced differently than how we pronounced THEIR Latin letters from 2,000 years ago. Even Republican Latin is different than the later Latin commonly pronounced today.
I pronounce it kinda like Dracula would say it => "tetra-dracum" ... I vant to suck yo blood!! Oh, and I'm sure that I'm incorrect (I live at the North Pole and I've never been to an actual coin show) ... I'm 100% sure that I speak a coin language that none of you would understand!! => and lovin' it!!
Very cool Ajax! Congratulations! Here is the only AR owl I've ever owned along with some bronze of course. Syria, Laodikeia ad Mare. AE15. Athena/owl Syria, Seleukis and Pieria. Laodicea ad Mare. Æ14
MY AR's: Athens Owl 16.8g 22mm x 6.5mm thick Athens Owl 17.2g 22mm x 6.7mm thick Athens Owl 17.4g 20.4mm x 7-5mm thick - edge-crud Athens Owl 17.3g 22.9mm x 6.8mm thick, r-crud
Pronunciation of Latin words always reminds me of the Classical pronunciation of Caesar's famous words vs. Catholic Church pronunciation: Veni, Vidi, Vici pronounced with a V sound vs Wayni, Weedi, Wiki (phonetic).
I had a friend from Greece who pronounced it "drock-muh". I don't know if that is the modern Greek pronunciation. Then I have had experienced ancient dealers pronounce it like "dram".
I was thinking of what to say about your new coin & then I realized that you already said it. I agree with your assessment completely (except I think your coin is pretty). It's too bad that the AOE is off the flan. Edit to add: My favorite owl photo.
It's an effect of aging : you get owl Sure, they are pricey, but as a lucky man with a loving wife, I've been gifted with an owl earlier this year (related thread here : https://www.cointalk.com/threads/between-my-wife-and-i-an-owl-story.280813/#post-2461578 ) 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
I must have missed the thread where you posted your owl. It looks like Athena has eye lashes! Man, that thing is nicely centered and well struck.
Wonderful posts everyone!! I had to have one too so I grabbed a budget example of the old and new style:
You folks are a bad influence. I never got one because I preferred classical and not archaic style Greek. Then they were also way too expensive for me when I was starting out. But maybe I need one after all.