CNG 105, Lot: 444. Estimate $1000. Sold for $750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PERSIA, Alexandrine Empire. temp. Mazakes – Bleitor. Satraps of Mesopotamia, circa 331-316 BC. AR Tetradrachm (31mm, 16.62 g, 9h). Imitating Athens. Helmeted head of Athena right, with profile eye / Owl standing right, head facing; olive sprig and crescent to left, bee to right; all within incuse square. Unpublished in the standard references. Good VF, lightly toned, some deposits and light porosity. Extremely rare.

Although this particular issue is unpublished, it shares many features in common with other Athenian imitations from Mesopotamia, particularly its thick, compact flan, and overall style (the two olive leaves above Athena’s visor appears to be canonical among these).