This year has been an active one, to say the least, for me. Again, the purchases have been primarily ancients, with a focus on imitations of Athenian owl coinage, but also, as I am prone to do, the occasional meandering into other areas, the result of an unfocused mind to be sure! Athens, pharaonic owl, late 5th-mid 4th centuries BC. From Roma E-Sale 103, lot 546. 17.06 grams I've always been drawn to mysterious, enigmatic and idiosyncratic ancient coinage. I also enjoy studying the coinage of Athens and its preeminence as the favored coinage of the East, an area of historical importance, legend and even romance. This is a very recent acquisition from Roma. The countermarks are quite clear. I am not sure about the obverse countermark. Could be a Paleo-Hebrew K ("kaph") or an Aramaic K ("he")? The reverse countermark appears to be a clearer Paleo-Hebrew or Aramaic W ("shen") to the right of the owl. Late this year a group of imitative owls appeared on the market. I was told that these coins came as a group from Syria. I don't have any additional information. Could they be from a new hoard discovery, or are they from a collection of owls from the 1989 Syrian hoard? The group are predominantly pharaonic imitations, with a few possible Athenian owls also present. I am still want for a few more coins to arrive before doing an in-depth analysis of them. Here are two: Egypt, pharaonic tetradrachm the style of an Athenian standardized owl, late 5th-mid 4th century BC. "Syria Group 2022". 16.71 grams Egypt, pharaonic owl late 5th-mid 4th century BC. "Syria Group 2022". 16.97 grams Just taking the obverse of this coin into account, it would almost pass as coming from the Athens mint. However, stylistic differences with the palmette on the helmet, along with a rather coarsely engraved owl and olive branch on the reverse, point it more in the direction of an imitation, probably from Egypt. There's an interesting countermark on the obverse that appears to be a facing profile with dots on either side. There is, to the right, square graffiti, with an open bottom, that could be a Sabean B, which, if correct, indicates that this coin spent some time in Southern Arabia. This month I was able to acquire, without totally breaking the bank, a Liyhan imitation owl in "silver". I use the term silver with some qualification, since this series of very crude coins runs the gambit from high-silver content to basically bronze. Additionally the style of the dies rather quickly deteriorates, becoming more abstract, which, in the view of modern art, isn't such a bad thing. While this coin has some porosity, which probably indicates a fairly low silver content, it is still a decent one, with quite clear features. I've been following sales of this type over the past few years, and the bidding can be very competitive. Now, I don't need to consider taking an equity loan out on the house to buy one! Northern Arabia, Lihyan, silver 'tetradrachm' owl, 2nd-1st centuries BC. From CNG eAuction 529, lot 348. 13.02 grams This is one other Liyhan "tetradrachm" that I picked up this year, actually close to the acquisition of the "silver" example. This is a totally debased coin in even cruder, later style. What's unusual for this coin, even for a Liyhan coin, is that the ethnic and the olive branch motif is reversed, with the AOE ethnic to the left, on the reverse side. This dark coin was a bit challenging to photograph, but the main design is quite clear. Northern Arabia, Lihyan, AE 'tetradrachm' owl 2nd-1st centuries BC. From CNG eAuction 528 lot 188. 12.70 grams Here's where I go "off road", so to speak and into antiquities. Roman bronze bull, circa 2nd century AD. From HJB "Buy-Bid" Sale 221, lot 689. 140.06 grams With a dynamic, wonderfully muscular style and a very nice patina, I had to buy this small bronze figurine! Roman jasper intaglio silver ring, 3rd-4th centuries AD. Stone meaures 11mm 25mmx15mm. Ring weighs 11.33 grams I was able to add a couple of Byzantine solidi this year: Constans II, Constantine IV, 654-659 AD, AV solidus. S 959 4.44 grams Constantine IX, AV Tetarteron Nomisma, Constantinople, 1042-1055. Sear 1833. 4.04 grams There were also some Roman acquisitions this year. Here are three of the more notable: Julius Caesar, denarius, circa 49-48 BC. 4.01 grams Roman Republic, Anonymous Didrachm, circa 225-214 BC. Crawford 28-3 6.43 grams Marcus Aurelius, "Limes" denarius, AD145-160. 3.40 grams Here's to a happy and prosperous 2023!
I used to own one many years ago but sold it along with many other coins to help finance the purchase of the house. I regretted parting with it and for years thought of replacing it. Of course delaying that resulted in a much more expensive purchase this year, but I am glad to have that hole filled, since it is such an iconic coin.
Thanks! I've been collecting coinage of Athens, 99.99% tetradrachms for many years. Branching into the imitations has really expanded the field for me.
Very nice selection! I love the first one - a nicely toned Owl - lonely among a sea of recently-cleaned hoard Owls - is a sight for sore eyes! The Roman coins are also great, but I think my favorite is the bronze bull. Lots of character to that little guy!
