ATTICA. Athens. AR Tetradrachm (17.14 gms), Perhaps an Eastern Issue

ATTICA. Athens. AR Tetradrachm (17.14 gms), Perhaps an Eastern Issue, ca. 440-404 B.C. NGC Ch EF, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 3/5. Light Mark. HGC-4, 1597; Kroll-8; SNG Cop-31. An iconic and historic coin, that has remained so for millennia. This piece, which is nice for the grade, offers a very good, strong and well-centered strike with a high relief on both sides. What makes this piece even more special is the old cabinet toning, with golden hues surrounding the devices, coating the remaining luster. Obverse: Helmeted head of Athena right; Reverse: Owl standing right, head facing; olive sprig and crescent to left; legend reads, 'AΘE'; all within incuse square. After the discovery of rich silver veins in the Mines of Laurion, south of Athens, in 483 B.C., the Athenians began issuing these tetradrachms en masse, primarily to support their colossal wars against Persia and Sparta. This issue was struck during the Peloponnesian War (431-404 B.C.), as most of these were, and the coin thereby became the first internationally used coin. Its demand and popularity birthed many issues of the type from outside of Athens, in regions like Egypt, the Levant, Mesopotamia and Arabia, and there is a possibility that this might be one of these scarcer eastern issues. A bucket-lister for about any coin collector. Estimate: €700 - €1,000. “NOTICE TO EU BUYERS: This lot is temporarily imported into Denmark and, following the auction, must be returned to the United States to close the temporary import. If purchased by an EU buyer, the lot may subsequently be shipped from our California office to Europe; all applicable import VAT, Margin Scheme “brugtmoms”, duties, customs charges, and related fees will be the responsibility of the buyer.” Click here for certification details from NGC.

Estimate:$471.51

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