Classic Athena Tetradrachm With Test Cut

[sand]

Here's a "Holy Grail" coin, for which I had been searching and waiting, for a long time. The ever popular classic Athena tetradrachm. Finally, last year, I found an example, which was within my budget, and which met my requirements. For the classic Athena tetradrachm, I'm an "Athena man", rather than an "Owl man". That is, my favorite side of the coin, is the Athena side. I like the owl side also, but the Athena side was my priority. For sure, the damaged owl, lowered the cost. And, of course, the test cut, lowered the cost. Perhaps the damage on the owl, was caused by the test cut. And, of course, the lack of any crest on the Athena side, lowered the cost. And, of course, the lack of an NGC Ancients slab, lowered the cost.
I've always liked the classic Athena tetradrachm. I like the primitive, yet beautiful portrait of Athena. The "side eye" reminds me, of ancient Egyptian wall paintings. The coin is an artifact, from the mysterious, ancient past.

Athens AR Tetradrachm. 449 BC To 413 BC. Sear 2526. 24.8 mm. 17.15 grams. Obverse : Head Of Athena Wearing Helmet Facing Right. Reverse : Owl Standing, Olive Twig And Crescent On Left, Alpha Theta Epsilon On Right, All Within Incuse Square. Test Cut.

Egyptian wall painting, from the interior of King Tutankhamun's tomb, circa 1323 BC.

Edited March 18 by sand

[CPK]

Very nice! Every collection needs a classic Owl. 🙂 

[sand]

16 hours ago, CPK said:

Very nice! Every collection needs a classic Owl. 🙂 

Thanks @CPK.

[NewStyleKing]

On 3/18/2023 at 12:48 PM, CPK said:

Very nice! Every collection needs a classic Owl. 🙂 

 

or 54 of them!  ( as in NewStyles ) 

Edited March 19 by NewStyleKing

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

Very nice!  I only have a contemporary eastern imitation.

 

[Cinco71]

Here's my double cut Owl with a swooping angel countermark (at least that's what it looks like to me).  I know some would turn up their noses at such a coin, but I love the darn thing.

 

 

 

[sand]

 

17 hours ago, Nerosmyfavorite68 said:

Very nice!  I only have a contemporary eastern imitation.

 

Thanks @Nerosmyfavorite68. The contemporary eastern imitations are interesting.

9 hours ago, Cinco71 said:

Here's my double cut Owl with a swooping angel countermark (at least that's what it looks like to me).  I know some would turn up their noses at such a coin, but I love the darn thing.

 

 

 

@Cinco71 Interesting coin. It looks like, it may have traveled a long distance. It looks like, it has been touched, by many ancient hands.

Edited March 20 by sand

[AETHER]

I think test cuts on owls are amazing and regret not getting an owl with a test cut. 

My next owl will have a test cut because I have this itch for one. I feel it's a big part of it's history..among other things.

Here is my classic cut-less owl;

 

Ex-Roma

[Cordoba]

1 hour ago, AETHER said:

I think test cuts on owls are amazing and regret not getting an owl with a test cut. 

My next owl will have a test cut because I have this itch for one. I feel it's a big part of it's history..among other things.

Here is my classic cut-less owl;

 

Ex-Roma

if you reaaally wanted one you could make your own test cut i am joking

[El Cazador]

2 hours ago, Cordoba said:

if you reaaally wanted one you could make your own test cut i am joking

😂😂😂😂- best joke i have heard in a while!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣

[sand]

9 hours ago, AETHER said:

I think test cuts on owls are amazing and regret not getting an owl with a test cut. 

My next owl will have a test cut because I have this itch for one. I feel it's a big part of it's history..among other things.

Here is my classic cut-less owl;

 

Ex-Roma

@AETHER That's a beautiful example. I like the Athena portrait.

[NewStyleKing]

Compared to the Old style, the NewStyle are comparatively test cut free.  The shear number of old styles produced and from different mints...imitatives from Egypt..necessitated much more care when getting an owl.  

[Broucheion]

On 3/19/2023 at 6:49 PM, Cinco71 said:

with a swooping angel countermark (at least that's what it looks like to me). 

Hi @Cinco71,

Angel, or maybe a stylized Tanit symbol? See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sign_of_Tanit .

- Broucheion 

[Cinco71]

On 3/23/2023 at 9:52 PM, Broucheion said:

Hi @Cinco71,

Angel, or maybe a stylized Tanit symbol? See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sign_of_Tanit .

- Broucheion 

I hadn't thought of the Tanit sign before.  That may very well be it.

Can't go back in time and ask who did it, though.  So now when I look at it, I'll think swooping angel or Sign of Tanit.  I'm not sure which is cooler.