Attica. Imitation of Athens from Asia Minor or the Levant. Late 5th century BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 24 mm, 16.32 g, 1 h), possibly struck in the area of Gaza. Head of Athena to right, wearing Attic helmet, adorned with two olive leaves and a palmette. Rev. ΑΘΕ Owl standing to right, head facing; to left, olive sprig with two leaves and a berry. No certain parallel. An extraordinary piece, struck in a flamboyant, non-Attic style, with an unusually prominent owl, and a vigorous but coarse style of engraving. Some minor marks and bangs, otherwise, extremely fine.
From a European collection since before 2000, but classified as an official Athenian issue.
The style of this Athenian imitation is quite extraordinary: the obverse could certainly be a normal Athenian issue (though in hindsight it does look a bit odd), but the reverse owl is what really gives the game away: its stilt like legs and oddly formed body is non-Attic. In any case it must be a fairly early imitation, perhaps made at the very end of the Peloponnesian War.