The Ubiquitous Eastern “Owls”

CNG 99, Lot: 370. Estimate $1000. Sold for $1500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

LEVANT or NORTH ARABIA. Late 4th century BC. Lot of Five Athenian Type Tetradrachms. All coins: Helmeted head of Athena right / Owl standing right, head facing; olive spray and crescent to left. Four coins, (a)–(d), of standard style (weights: 17.10, 17.09, 17.07, and 16.01 grams), the fifth, (e), with standard style obverse and a reverse with somewhat degraded style and incuse form (weight: 16.63 grams). All coins reportedly found together at an uncertain location in the Middle East. Average VF condition, all with a single test cut and a few light marks, one with graffito on reverse. LOT SOLD AS IS, NO RETURNS. Five (5) coins in lot.

The ubiquitous ‘owls’ of Athens were the first international coinage, and were imitated en masse at various mints in the Levant and East. Studies of the coinage have shown that many of the early imitations were produced to such a high standard that they are virtually indistinguishable from official Athenian issues. The present group is illustrative. Four of the coins have a style that is identical to official Athenian issues from the second half of the fifth century, and if found in isolation, would likely be considered to be from Athens. The fifth coin, though, has an obverse of equally good style, suggesting an Athenian issue, but the reverse style clearly distinguishes it as imitative. Thus, if all five were found together, as reported, they may all be imitations.