Attica, Athens

Didrachm circa 460, AR 20 mm, 8.48 g. Head of Athena r., wearing Attic helmet decorated with palmettes. Rev. ΑΘΕ Owl standing r. with closed wings, head facing; in upper l. field, olive sprig with berry. All within incuse square. Svoronos pl. 8, 10. Seltman A309/P388. Starr Group II C, 78 (these dies).
Very rare, less than ten specimens of this denomination are in private hands.
A prestigious issue of lovely style with a delightful old cabinet tone,
two nicks on obverse, otherwise good very fine

Ex NAC sale 106, 2018, 226. Privately purchased from Harlan J. Berk in December 1989 at the NYICC. From the Harold Salvesen collection and from a Scandinavian private collection.