My first Owl

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You positive its genuine?

 

o wow!...kool ach...i haven't got one yet and i'm gettin' old...(Neal Young reference)

 

ditto
im a cheapskate and
its THE most faked ancient coin on earth so im afraid to get one
http://rg.ancients.info/owls/forgeries.html

 

One thing though...check out the forgeries, all are pretty nice.

 

Great buy, no test cuts and great owl. It's good to pick up a coin that would cost a third more overseas because of our exchange rate, was that from the recent Nobles auction?

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourrée
try a test cut

 

Who gives a Hoot?!

Just kidding. Nice purchase.
I'm not a big ancients collector but over the years I have purchased about 6 simple examples. Jan 2019 I will be attending the NYINC Show here in NYC where I am looking to purchase a nice Owl for myself.

 

Are you concerned about the style? I wonder if it's from an eastern mint. But I'm certainly no expert.

 

There is nothing wrong with the style of this coin. I see many good points in the coin as a representative of what it is. As listed, it is from a century well after the peak of Athenian power. The fine style owls that everyone wants had all been sealed away in huge pots waiting for them to be discovered and slabbed by modern collectors. The monetary needs of the day were met by coins of what we might call lesser quality. Some were made by hammering other coins flat and folding them over a couple times to make a new lump on which the then current coins could be made. The days of going to the rich silver mines had passed. They did with what they had. That is also what some of us have to do when we collect. Currently there are a huge number of EF owls of fine style from a recent hoard on the market in the $1000 to $2000 range. If you have to have one of those, don't expect someone to give it to you for $400. I have earlier, Classical owls with 'problems', later 4th century owls with problems, smaller denominations in several sizes and the bunch adds up to less than one perfect tetradrachm. You pay your money and make your choices.
test cut Classical


flat struck Classical


4th century


obol (1/24th tetradrachm)

 

Congratulations on adding an owl! Nothing about it struck me as "off" but no one pays for my opinion so keep that in mind.

 

Have you gotten that Owl yet? I gave you some suggestions for NON-Tets

How about some more Owls from the Borg??? At least I KNOW these are not "fakes", as they were tested around the time of issue.

[BTW, I would NEVER recommend a "test cut" on ANY of my Ancients... Rather, I go perform RESEARCH to compare and learn...

I am concerned about all the non-experts spouting off about "fakes" when people post their coins. I refuse to do this, as I never purport to be an expert. Rather, I focus on researching my coins. I definitely want to KNOW, but I really do not like an "opinion" session, voting whether a coin is fake or not. My druthers would be an expert opinion backed up with facts.

Now, back to the story...]

These are Tets, tested and true during their circulation:

Athens Owl 16.8g 22x6-5mm Late Classical 393-300 BC, Sear 2537, SNG Cop. 63


Athens Owl AR Tet 17.4g 20.4mm x 7.5mm Late Classical 393-300 BC, Sear 2537, SNG Cop. 63 edge-crud

(LOL, not tested, just a lot of crud)

Athens Owl AR Tet 17.3g 22.9mm x 6.8mm thick Late Classical 393-300 BC, Sear 2537, SNG Cop. 63 crud


(uh-oh...Owl lost his head... LOL, now I am terrified it must be fake fake fake...)

Athens Owl AR Tet 17.2g 22mm x 6.7mm thick Late Classical 393-300 BC, Sear 2537, SNG Cop. 63

 

Looks like a nice owl, congrats.


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

 

I have one.

 

I know NGC doesn't guaranteed authenticity, but they are pretty good at

They wont slab something they think is fake- they have made mistakes before buts its rare

I usually dislike NGC slabbed because I prefer to handle my coins.. and they are 50-200% X more $$$ in a slab.

but if I had to get an Athenian Owl? I might get it slabbed- then open the slab up. Might put my mind at easy for spending that much

but not the 8000 dollar ones!

maybe $1k-$2k
speaking of fake NGCs? This might be one
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ancient-At...kClX:sc:USPSFirstClass!08080!US!-1:rk:38:pf:0

Finish/color seems a bit off

 

Thanks for your advice:



seems to be authentic , although it lacks the R stamp (for real)

 

I believe it is time for me to push the "IGNORE" button on the Fake-Drama poster after constantly posting ebay listings for "fake" advice.

Everyone has given advice to help him, but after reviewing his postings, 90% of them are a constant stream of "fake" this and and "can you tell me about ebay" that...

This reminds me of a prior poster that always screamed "fake", under another name... hmmm... I wonder...

 

For the love of all things good, DO NOT PUT A TEST CUT ON THAT COIN! Just because the ancients did it doesn't mean we should. I've kept my mouth shut about some posts but that may be the single worst advice that I have read in the year that I have been on this site. Someone posts a new coin that they are proud of and the first thing posted is, are you sure it is genuine? How about, "Nice looking coin! Way to go!!" or "Man, I wish I knew more about these." I am new but seasoned enough to say that is a good looking coin right there. Even if it isn't from Athens hey day.
PS, Nice looking coin! Way to go!!!

 

@Beginner345, give it up with the "fakes"! You're just manifesting your ignorance repeatedly.

There is nothing in the listing you show here to indicate that this NGC slab is fake. The seller states (& the slab indicates) it is former jewelry, thus the low price & what you perceive to be "Finish/color seems a bit off".

Further, if you look at his other offerings, they are considerable & he seems focused. And as well, he has 14.4K feedbacks, over 2,100 last 12 months & only "1" neg.

Certainly not proof, but not anything for you to keep throwing around the "fake" innuendo. (Btw, I am not, & I do not know the seller!)

If you respond to this, I will not get it because I now have you on ignore.