Sale: CNG 66, Lot: 735. Estimate $300.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 19 May 2004.  Sold For $350. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

EGYPT, Athenian Imitation. Circa 400-350 BC. AR Tetradrachm (17.10 gm). Head of Athena right, wearing crested Attic helmet; uncertain countermark on cheek / Owl standing right, head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind; two uncertain countermarks in fields, all within incuse square. Flament style B; Svoronos, Athenes -; cf. Diebolt & Nicolet-Pierre -; Mildenberg -. VF. ($300)

For a general discussion of these Egyptian imitations, and the dating of these issues, see P.G. van Alfen, "The 'Owls' from the 1989 Syria Hoard with a review of Pre-Macedonian Coinage in Egypt," AJN 14 (2002). This countermark, though of uncertain type, is consistent with those applied in Egypt, marking coinage for acceptable use in trade.