Gemini, LLC
Auction 11 12 January 2014
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Attica. Athens. c. 420-380 BC. Tetradrachm, 16.34g (8h). Obv: Helmeted head of Athena with countermark (W) on cheek. Rx: ΑΘΕ Owl standing right, head facing, with olive sprig and crescent behind. P. van Alfen, AJN 14 (2002), p. 19, no. 6, pl. 12 (countermark 31, see p. 5) = ANS 1953.171.229. See also SNG ANS 4 = ANS 1944.100.24223. Mint State
The types and style of this tetradrachm are near those of late fifth century issues of Athens, but the sloping reverse legend and the sloppy treatment of Athena's hairdo prove that this must be an imitative coin. Most interesting is the countermark on Athena's cheek, including the Aramaic letter shin (s²). Since shin is the first letter of the Samarian ethnic and its abbreviations (see now Sofaer Collection, p. 207), coins with a shin countermark are often attributed to Samaria, although not all countermarks were necessarily applied by the same mints that struck the coins. Anyway the shin countermark is just one of a wide range of both figural and letter punches used to mark Athenian and pseudo-Athenian coins circulating in the Levant. An overview of these punches (van Alfen, p. 5) shows that attributing them to the major mints would be hazardous; rather they will be personal badges of magistrates or bankers' marks. In this case it is clear the coin was produced by a Levantine mint, most probably controlled by a governor or even a satrap (the standardized fabric of such pseudo-Athenian coins reveals experienced minting staffs). A countermark was not necessary for getting the coin into circulation, but a banker or warlord may well have wished to check, and mark, coins passing into or out of his treasuries. So this beauty from the Levant gives a fascinating glimpse of financial habits at a time when the orient was starting to get monetized
The types and style of this tetradrachm are near those of late fifth century issues of Athens, but the sloping reverse legend and the sloppy treatment of Athena's hairdo prove that this must be an imitative coin. Most interesting is the countermark on Athena's cheek, including the Aramaic letter shin (s²). Since shin is the first letter of the Samarian ethnic and its abbreviations (see now Sofaer Collection, p. 207), coins with a shin countermark are often attributed to Samaria, although not all countermarks were necessarily applied by the same mints that struck the coins. Anyway the shin countermark is just one of a wide range of both figural and letter punches used to mark Athenian and pseudo-Athenian coins circulating in the Levant. An overview of these punches (van Alfen, p. 5) shows that attributing them to the major mints would be hazardous; rather they will be personal badges of magistrates or bankers' marks. In this case it is clear the coin was produced by a Levantine mint, most probably controlled by a governor or even a satrap (the standardized fabric of such pseudo-Athenian coins reveals experienced minting staffs). A countermark was not necessary for getting the coin into circulation, but a banker or warlord may well have wished to check, and mark, coins passing into or out of his treasuries. So this beauty from the Levant gives a fascinating glimpse of financial habits at a time when the orient was starting to get monetized