Near East Or Egypt 450-375 BC Type of Attica Athens Owl Tetradrachm NGC CHAU

Description

NEAR EAST OR EGYPT SILVER TETRADRACHM – IMITATIVE ISSUE BASED ON THE OWL COINAGE OF ATHENS DURING THE CLASSICAL PERIOD – CHAU NGC GRADED GREEK COIN
NEAR EAST OR EGYPT. Ca. 5th century BC.
Silver Tetradrachm closely imitating a Classical Period Issue of Athens, 17.16g, 22 mm
Obv. Helmeted head of Athena right.
Rev. Owl standing to right, olive sprig and crescent behind, all within incuse square.
For the original type cf. Kroll 8; SNG Copenhagen 31-40; Dewing 1591-1598; HGC 4, 1597; see also Peter van Alfen, “The ‘Owls’ from the 1989 Syria Hoard with a review of Pre-Macedonian Coinage in Egypt,” AJN 14 (2002), plate 11, 2.
NGC graded CHAU Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, a very interesting imitative coin which copies closely the original Athenian series of the Classical period, yet maintains a charming distinctive character.
History of the Attica Athens Owl Tetradrachm
This type of imitative Owl was produced because silver traded as currency and in the near East or Egypt silver coins were scarce. Merchants and Mercenaries knew what a Attica Athens Owl Tetradrachm was and trusted it.
The Owl had gained the trust of the laborers, soldiers, and merchants for their silver purity and popularity. They are still widely known by that term today, the owl depicted upon the Athenian Tetradrachm is the “Minerva Owl”. The owl, as a symbol for wisdom, was the mascot of Athena, and frequently accompanies the goddess as this coin demonstrates. According to myth, Athena, goddess of wisdom and the patron goddess of Athens, even had the ability to take the form of an owl.
The reverse depicts a standing owl within an incuse square, head facing forward, with a crescent moon and olive spray, and “ΑΘΕ”, (of the Athenians). Athena is featured on the obverse wearing a helmet with floral scroll and three olive leaves.
These well preserved ancient silver Tetradrachm are approximately the size of quarter but twice its thickness. We just bought a fresh group out of Europe and are currently graded. All of our ancient coins are certified by the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC Ancients).
This Ancient coin is #10 in the Top 100 Greatest Ancient Coins book, page 28
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