Lot 1860

Description

Attica, Athens, an Egyptian contemporary copy, (c.449-413 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (16.49 grams), obv. head of Athena to right wearing ivy crested helmet, eye facing, rev. owl standing to right, head facing, in erect posture, olive twig and crescent behind, to right, **AQE, all in incuse square, (S.2526, cf.BMC 62, cf.SNG Cop 31). Tight irregular flan, weak on owl face, otherwise extremely fine/good very fine, rare and important.

It is only in recent times that the style of this tetradrachm type has been recognised as being a contemporary Egyptian copy manufactured officially for trade purposes within that part of the world.