CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY


Denomination:
Tetradrachm
Composition:
Silver
Date:
393-300 BC
Obverse:
Head of Athena right, of more advanced style, the eye seen in true profile
Reverse:
Owl standing right head facing, in erect posture; the tail feathers represented as a single prong; to the right, AΘE, in large, even lettering; to left, olive-twig and crescent; all within incuse square
Reference:
sg2537, BMC 11.144
Size:
25mm
Province:
Athens
Grade:
VF

"Owls" were extremely popular as a central currency of the ancient world and thus the design remained unchanged for quite a long period of time. One of the most well known coins from ancient times from Athens, the centre of the ancient world, it is no surprise that these coins are highly sought after by collectors. During 449-413 B.C a large amount of tetradrachms were minted to meet the financing requirements of extravagant building projects including the Parthenon and also to cover the cost of the very expensive Peloponnesian War. A VF fine example of the coin in its later incarnation. Compare the eyes in particular, which are more lifelike than the older-style tetradrachms of the previous century.

I, Peter A. Piliouras of Ancient Coin Traders irrevocably guarantee for life to the Purchaser that this ancient coin is authentic. If this coin is deemed not to be authentic by a professional certification service, then I will refund to the Purchaser the full cost of acquiring the coin (including shipping) together with the certification fees.




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Signed: Peter Anthony Piliouras


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Date