Exceptional Transitional Obol

Sale: Triton XIII, Lot: 140. Estimate $1000.  Closing Date: Monday, 4 January 2010.  Sold For $3500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ATTICA, Athens. Circa 465/2-454 BC. AR Obol (0.69 g, 11h). Transitional issue. Helmeted head of Athena right / Owl standing right, head facing, with spread tail feathers; olive sprig behind, AΘE to right; all within incuse square. Starr Group V, ν = Niggeler 297 = Jameson 1192 = Delbeke 150 (same dies); SNG Copenhagen -; SNG Berry 682. EF, small edge bump at 1 o’clock on obverse, a hint of porosity. Rare, and undoubtedly among the finest Athens obols.