Greek Silver Tetradrachm – Attica Athens – 449-420 BC Lot A060-1

Description

Investment Quality Coins
Greek Silver Tetradrachm – Attica Athens – 449-420 BC
Lot A060  - One coin only - I posted multiple photos, showing all angles
You are bidding on an artistic silver AR tetradrachm of Attica, Athens
This is one of my favorites. Athena’s helmet art is very crisp.
It also has fine detail on owl’s feathers, detailed talons and olive leaves. You will have trouble finding one more artistic.
Obverse/Front:
Head of Athena right (lots of crest)
Reverse/Back: Very nice owl head facing, olive sprig and moon behind owl,
AQE
which is “Athens” in Greek.
Item:
Attica, Athens
Location: Attic peninsula of Greece
Struck: c. 449-420 BC
Ancient Coin - Not Graded by 3rd Party Grading Company (see photos)
Weight: ~16.8 g.
Diameter: 7/8 inch or larger
Reference: SG 2526
My Source:
Nilus Coins about year 2000
Documentation: Flip tab and copy of receipt
History:
Athens, one of the greatest cities of antiquity, named itself after Athena, the goddess of wisdom and virtue, who is displayed on the obverse of all of its coinage. Athens prided itself justifiably on its intellectual and artistic achievements--the very name Athens also means "thought." The city's brave stands against the Persian Empire at Marathon and Salamis saved Greece, and perhaps Western Civilization, from Eastern domination. The famous "owl" coinage commenced in the late sixth century BC. Athens' "Golden Age" occurred in the mid-fifth Century BC, when the city reached its peak of prosperity and power, perfecting its Democracy and even presiding over its own Empire. Under statesmen such as Perikles, artists such as Phidias, authors such as Aeschylus, and philosophers such as Socrates, Athens achieved a diamond-bright brilliance of culture which has never been surpassed in the ages since. The coin above is a pleasing example of the Classical Athenian owl tetradrachm. The olive leaves on the helmet of Athena and the waning moon to the left of the owl probably celebrate the Athenian victory over Xerxes at Salamis in 480 BC
General Condition and Performance:
Photos are an important part of the description for ancient coins, as they have many more aesthetic variables than modern cookie cutter coins. Please review photos before purchase.
Most of my coins are Greek Silver.
My coins have generally been purchased from first class dealers like Classical Numismatic Group (CNG), Nilus Coins, Harlan J. Berk, Malter, Sigma, Numistory, Antiquarian, MediterraneanCoins, Stacks, Edgar Owen, etc.
These vendors utilize Numismatic experts which are often world renowned or major museum experts to validate the authenticity of the coins.
All coins will come with the past seller providence that I have. This will include typically include information like the selling company, auction (e.g., Triton No.), lot number, other vendor identification, most of which is on the 2X2 vinyl flip coin insert. For higher value coins I will try to provide additional identification, like the original page from the original auction, etc.
I will answer any questions to the best of my ability, but my information will typically be limited to the information that was available to me when I purchased or bid on the coin.
Conditions of Sale:
Most of my coins are extremely nice, artistic, much better than average condition and therefore higher cost.
Items are As-Pictured, As Described, **Sales are Final**. This is to avoid circular mailing of items that inflate my costs. Please resolve questions before you bid.
I anticipate customers are experienced coin collectors who recognized quality ancient coins.
Listing is usually for one piece, with multiple photos of the one coin. Rarely a few coins may be grouped.
My goal is to be a top seller and to have satisfied customers. If you have a problem with an item you receive, please contact me before posting negative comments.
Payment and Shipping
Paypal is the primary payment method and payment is expected within 3 days of auction end or immediately on “Buy-It-Now” transactions.
We generally charge no handling fees. Rejection of delivery or failure to claim delivery will incur additional fees.
We primarily ship to the USA, to all 50 states by insured USPS Priority Flat Rate with Tracking.
If you are bidding on multiple auctions, contact me immediately after first win so I can combine shipments, because I try to ship the same day. I’ll refund unused shipping funds via PayPal with combined orders.
We generally will ship within 1 to 24 business hours (M-T-W-Th-F-S) after payment has been received. Ebay notification of a sale has sometimes been erratic-delayed.
INTERNATIONAL ORDERS:
I do not ship internationally.