Lot 4517

Description

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.