ATTICA. Athens. Circa 455-449 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 25 mm, 17.15 g, 5 h). Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet adorned with three olive leaves and palmette, round earring and pearl necklace. Rev. ΑΘΕ Owl standing right with head facing; to left, crescent and olive sprig; all within incuse square. HGC 4, 1596. Starr Group V.B. Cf. Svoronos pl. 9, 7 ff. With a wonderful owl, perfectly struck in high relief from new dies. Obverse with flan faults and mistruck in the area of the nose, otherwise, extremely fine.

From the Dr. Paul Peter Urone Collection, ex Classical Numismatic Group e438, 20 February 2019, 107.

The unfortunate state of the obverse of this coin would normally mean that it would not go in a Nomos sale, but the reverse!!! This owl is absolutely magnificent!!!