Sale: Nomos 7, Lot: 93. Estimate CHF300.  Closing Date: Tuesday, 14 May 2013.  Sold For CHF950. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ATTICA, Athens. Circa 440s-430s. Obol (Silver, 0.69 g 5). Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet adorned with olive leaves and palmette turned upwards. Rev. ΑΘΕ Owl standing to right, with head facing ; to left, long curved olive leaf and fruit. Cf. Svoronos pl. 10, 46. A pleasant piece, nicely struck but with some minor surface roughness. Good very fine.

From a European collection, formed before 2005.

This was struck soon after the main Athenian series began when the Starr Groups ended. The head of Athena is still carefully made in early Classical style, but the owl is more elongated and has its left foot slightly raised.