UNCERTAIN EAST. Mid 5th century BC. AR Tetradrachm (19.5mm, 16.51 g, 7h). Imitating Athens.

Electronic Auction 457
Lot: 121. Estimated: $ 200

Greek, Silver

Sold For $ 190. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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UNCERTAIN EAST. Mid 5th century BC. AR Tetradrachm (19.5mm, 16.51 g, 7h). Imitating Athens. Helmeted head of Athena right, with profile eye and pi-style palmette / Owl standing right, head facing; olive spray and crescent to left; all within incuse square. Van Alfen, Owls, Miscellaneous Imitations Group, 137. Lightly toned, area of weak strike. VF. Rare.

From the Nomisma Collection.

The style of this imitation is very good compared to official Athenian pi-style issues; flan is folded, and the lower left bar of the A in the ethnic is tucked behind the owl’s neck. What reveals the imitation are the schematic features of the obverse and the odd separated foreleg of the owl. At this time, identifying the mint of issue is not possible, but the style does resemble that used on the last issues of Athenian imitations from Egypt, just prior to the ultimate issues in the names of the Persian satrap or great king, as well as issues from Mesopotamia.

Closing Date and Time: 4 December 2019 at 10:40:00 ET.

All winning bids are subject to an 18% buyer’s fee.