Nomos

Auction 21  –  21 November 2020

Nomos, Auction 21

Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Medieval and Modern Coins

Sa, 21.11.2020, from 4:00 PM CET
The auction is closed.

Description

ATTICA. Athens. Circa 510-500 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 23 mm, 17.30 g, 4 h). Head of Athena to right, wearing an Attic helmet, ornamented with a curled tendril on the bowl behind Athena's ear, and a large circular earring. Rev. ΑΘΕ (the theta in the form of a wheel with four spokes) Tall and thin owl standing to right, with a facing head and long legs; behind, at the upper right, small and delicate olive sprig with two leaves and a fruit; all within incuse square. Cf. Seltman Group L, obverse A 224 and reverse P 274. Very rare. Of true Archaic style with a fine head of Athena and a most attractive owl. Struck from a worn and rusty obverse die, with a break under Athena's neck, otherwise, about extremely fine.

This piece, with its wheel-shaped theta, is one of the earliest Athenian owls, struck soon after the first pieces with their variant olive sprigs.

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Bidding

Price realized 7'500 CHF
Starting price 6'800 CHF
Estimate 8'500 CHF
The auction is closed.
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