ATTICA. Athens. Ca. 405 BC. AE/AR fourree tetradrachm (25mm, 15.90 gm, 9h). Choice VF, test cut, deposits. Head of Athena right, in crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, wearing round earring / AΘE, owl standing right, head facing, olive sprig and crescent moon behind; all within incuse square. Starr pl. XXIII, 12. Svoronos pl. 15, 12-18. Ex CNA Ltd., Auction VIII (27 September 1989), lot 84. The emergency issue of plated tetradrachms and drachms by Athens of circa 405 BC was forced after the loss of control of the Laurion Mines and due to the expense of the war with Sparta. This issue was withdrawn from circulation around 403-402 BC, following the end of the Peloponnesian War and the re-establishment of the government, leaving surviving examples such as the present piece to be rare reminders of this episode in the history of Athens, which was mentioned in "The Frogs" by Aristophanes.

HID09801242017

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