Sale: Nomos 5, Lot: 164. Estimate CHF5000.  Closing Date: Monday, 24 October 2011.  Sold For CHF9000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ATTICA, Athens. Circa 162/161 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 16.96 g 12), New Style. Head of Athena to right, with earring and necklace and wearing a triple-crested Attic helmet adorned with a tendril at the back, Pegasos on the bowl and five horse protomes above the visor. Rev. ΑΘΕ, monogram of ΧΥ and ΦΑΝΙ Owl,with closed wings, standing facing on amphora lying on its side to right; all within olive wreath. Thompson 10. Very rare. Attractively toned and struck on a very broad flan. Some minor marks and with traces of double-striking, otherwise, extremely fine.

From a European collection, acquired in the 1970s from Bank Leu.

This is one of the earliest Athenian New Style issues, now believed to date to the later 160s. These issues were produced in relatively small numbers and are very rare today; their technique, struck on thin, broad flans, makes them particularly impressive.