Attica, Athens. Tetradrachm; Attica, Athens; c. 520-500 BC, Tetradrachm, 17.28g. Seltman-296 (A194/P242); Svoronos-pl. 6, 7. Obv: Helmeted head of Athena r. Rx: Owl standing r., head front; ATE upwards on l., two olive leaves with olive at lower r., all in incuse square. From the same obverse die as Babelon pl. XXXV, 1.This is one of the earliest issues of Athens showing Athena and her owl. The civic mint was named by Seltman in 1918 when he wrote his definitive book because he thought the Athenians could never issue coins this beautiful and they must have been struck as prizes. In fact, this was a short experimental issue that helped the Athenians determine the standard type they would use for about 150 years. Of all designs, less than 100 of these coins exist with almost all of them coming from two finds. Obverse struck in ultra-high relief. EF
Estimate: $60000