Lot 1863

Description

Attica, Athens, (166-57 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (16.73 grams), issued 143-2 B.C., (Thompson date) but probably 111-0 B.C. (revised chronology), obv. head of Athena Parthenos to right wearing triple-crested Athenian helmet, ornamented with Pegasus, rev. owl standing to right, head facing, in erect posture, on prostrate amphora, to right Artemis with torch, legend across **A QE FANOKLH[S] APOL LWN IOS, ARISTO DHMOS, EPIGO, **SW below, **B/D on amphora, all within wreath, (cf.S.2555, Thompson 700a [same dies], Paris [de Luynes 2112 same dies]). Nearly extremely fine and rare.

The other known specimen noted by Thompson with all these legends and symbols and also from the same dies is the Paris specimen. Thompson read the letters on the amphora as **G/B/A but examination of this coins suggest it is in more likely **D/B.