ATTICA, Athens. Circa 510-500/490 BC. AR Obol or Hemiobol (8mm, 0.49 g, 6h). Near VF.

Triton XXVII – Session 5
Lot: 5133. Estimated: $ 200

Greek, Silver

Sold For $ 3 250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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ATTICA, Athens. Circa 510-500/490 BC. AR Obol or Hemiobol (8mm, 0.49 g, 6h). Helmeted head of Athena right, with frontal eye / Owl standing left, head facing, closed tail feathers; olive spray to right, AΘ-E around; all within incuse square. Seltman Group H, p. 192, pl. XXII, ν or ξ var. (orientation of ethnic); HGC 4, –. Lightly toned, minor porosity. Near VF. Well centered and struck for issue. Extremely rare variety of a very rare issue.

From the Mars Collection.

This hemiobol is from the earliest series of Athenian Owl coinage. At this stage, the Athenian mint had determined the new basic Athena / Owl type that was to appear on the coins, but had not yet decided on the specific presentation of the designs. During this "experimental period" numerous different variations for the reverse and arrangement of the ethnic were tried. There is not a plated example in either Seltman or Svoronos that have the ethnic separated between the left and right. The E coming out of the right side of the owl is seemingly a unique design and was likely a short lived idea.

Closing Date and Time: 17 January 2024 at 10:44:00 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer’s fee.