Question about Athens tets

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by tartanhill, Dec 7, 2019.

  1. tartanhill

    tartanhill Well-Known Member

    Can anyone direct me to a site that explains the different Starr Groups for the Athens tetradrachms? Thanks.
     
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  3. pprp

    pprp Well-Known Member

    happy_collector likes this.
  4. happy_collector

    happy_collector Well-Known Member

    Thanks for the CNG links, @pprp. I agree that most auctioneers incorrectly classify the Starr numbers. I saw last week an Owl tet being incorrectly classified as Group III by Heritage. The spiral palmette is pointing down to the ear (Group V) instead of the olive leaf on helmet (Group III). Plus Athena's hair is not the archaic type.
     
  5. tartanhill

    tartanhill Well-Known Member


    Thanks, pprp. I am confused about the three separate tail feathers that are all common to the above four groups. I have seen many Athens tets without the separation of the tail feathers that have been listed as groups 4 or 5. Is this just a case, as has been mentioned, of the auction not getting the description correct?
     
  6. pprp

    pprp Well-Known Member

    I know what you mean.These are not groups 4 or 5. The general hypothesis is that they appeared just after the Starr V and before the mass coinage.

    Eg this one sold as group IV which is a bad joke as Athena's hair at the forehead is not curly

    https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/g...-ngc-choice-auand-9733-5-5-5-5/a/3074-30010.s

    So I dont think HA do it on purpose but there are others who do it fraudulently to trick buyers
     
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