Greek Silver & Bronze Coins
Lot 4517 Session 16 (9.30am Friday) Greek Silver & Bronze Coins
Estimate $250
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $260
ATTICA, Athens, (449-413 B.C.), silver hemidrachm, (1.94 g), imitative issue c.5th century B.C., obv. head of Athena to right wearing ivy crested helmet, eye in profile, rev. owl standing to right, head facing, in erect posture, olive twig and crescent behind, to right, **AQE*, all in incuse square, (cf.S.2527, BMC -, See Gorny & Mosch Auction Sale 14th October 2014 [lot 1472 from the same dies realised 250 euros]). Toned, good very fine and a rare variety.
This Attic hemidrachm is a contemporary imitation and is extremely rare. The reverse with the frontal standing owl is characteristic of the fractional issues diobols of Athens. However early Bactrian hemidrachms like this coin come from the period of Sophytes (SNG ANS 9ff.) and are thematically identical but stylistically unique from the post-classical period. They are also of a lighter weight. This coin has clearly archaic style features and is probably an early imitation, probably coming from the East. The Gorny & Mosch example comes from the same dies and makes this coin interesting and worthy of more research.
Estimate / sale price does not include buyer's premium (currently 22% including GST) which is added to hammer price. All bids are executed on the understanding that the Terms & Conditions of sale have been read and accepted. For information on grading and estimates please refer to the Buying at Auction advice.
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Adjacent lots
Lot 4515
ATTICA, Athens, (449-413 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (17.05 g), issue c.430 B.C., obv. head of Athena ...
Estimate $1,000
Lot 4516
ATTICA, Athens, (449-413 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (17.18 g), issue c.430 B.C., obv. head of Athena ...
Estimate $600
Lot 4517 This lot
ATTICA, Athens, (449-413 B.C.), silver hemidrachm, (1.94 g), imitative issue c.5th century B.C., obv. head ...
Estimate $250
Lot 4518
ATTICA, Athens, (166-57 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (16.97 g), issued 168-167 B.C., (Thompson date) but probably ...
Estimate $1,500
Lot 4519
ATTICA, Athens, (166-57 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (16.79 g), issued 168-167 B.C., (Thompson date) but probably ...
Estimate $1,100