Lot 3523

Description

Attica, Athens, (166-57 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (16.730 grams), issued 182-1 B.C., (Thompson date) but probably 150-149 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, kerchnos to left, nothing on amphora, legend across **A QE, to left **DM/MW, to right **DIO, all within wreath, (cf.S.2555, Thompson 95 [same obverse die], BMC 311, SNG Aberdeen 199, cf.SNG Cop.125). Good fine and very rare.

A rare early issue, Thompson knew of only 26 examples of this year foa all dies, struck from 8 obverse and 21 reverse dies.