Nomos AG
Auction 18 5 May 2019
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ATTICA. Athens. Circa 449-404 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 26 mm, 17.18 g, 9 h), mid 440s. 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, head facing; behind, olive spray and crescent moon; all within incuse square. Cf. Svoronos pl. 11, 2. A particularly lovely example, powerfully struck on a very broad flan and with a wonderful head of Athena, which has almost all of the helmet crest visible. Some striking cracks, albeit not affecting the types, otherwise, about extremely fine.
This coin was not only struck from beautifully cut dies, it was also well-nigh perfectly struck on a very broad flan, thus making this piece a true artistic masterpiece! Even the flan cracks, which are often defects, here seem to serve to emphasize the beauty of Athena's head.
This coin was not only struck from beautifully cut dies, it was also well-nigh perfectly struck on a very broad flan, thus making this piece a true artistic masterpiece! Even the flan cracks, which are often defects, here seem to serve to emphasize the beauty of Athena's head.