Lot 2686

Description

Attica, Athens, (168-57 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (16.66 g), issued 145-4 B.C., (Thompson date) but probably 113-2 B.C. (revised chronology), obv. Head of Athena Parthenos to right, wearing triple crested Athenian helmet, ornamented with Pegasos and forepart of horses, dotted border, rev. Owl standing right, head facing on prostrate amphora, to right Triptolemos in chariot to left, **A QE* across, to left **EUM/ AREI/ DHS/ ALKI/ DAM/ DION*, in exergue traces of **SO* or **SF*, on amphora B, all within olive wreath, (cf.S.2555, Thompson 673c [same dies] = example in Sophia Museum). Nearly extremely fine and very rare, with collector tickets.

Ex Classical Numismatic Group Auction Sale Triton VI, January 14, 2003 (lot 1546 part), and previously from the Patrick Cooper Collection (873) who acquired it from Sydney Mygind November 1994 for �210 type represented in Thompson "The New Style Coinage of Athens" as No.673c, illustrated in Thompson plate. Thompson reports 111 known tetradrachms of Triptolemos type from 16 obverse and 60 reverse dies. There is a difference of 32 years less between Thompson and the suggested revised chronology. This would make this issue 113-112 B.C.