Lot 5020

Description

Attica, Athens, (166-57 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (16.97 grams), issued 179-8 B.C., (Thompson date) but probably 147-146 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, trident to right, nothing on amphora, legend across **A QE*, to left **AD/EI*, to right **HL/IO*, to lower left **PO*, all within wreath, (cf.S.2555, Thompson 122 [same obverse die], cf.BMC 310). Fine/good fine and very rare, an unpublished reverse die and apparently overstruck on another issue.

A rare early issue, Thompson knew of only 29 examples of this year for all dies, struck from 8 obverse and 23 reverse dies.