Lot 3217

Description

Attica, Athens, (166-57 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (16.630 grams), issued 146-5 B.C., (Thompson date) but probably 114-113 B.C. (revised chronology), obv. head of Athena Parthenos to right wearing triple-crested Athenian helmet, ornamented with Pegasus, within dotted border, rev. owl standing to right, head facing, in erect posture, on prostrate amphora, A on amphora, legend across **A QE, to left **DIO/TIM/OS, to right **MA/GAS*, across NIKO/**DH MOS, SO below*, all within wreath, (cf.S.2555, cf.Thompson 650 [new dies], cf.SNG Cop.258). Short on flan, very fine and rare.

Ex Antiquarius, New Zealand, October 2001. A rare early issue, Thompson knew of 98 examples of this year from all dies, issue struck from 17 obverse and 58 reverse dies.