ATTICA, ATHENS AR TETRADRACHM
Kroll 8, HGC 4, 1597, Near Mint State, countermark, slight obv. die rust, fresh lustrus rev. die, 24mm, 17.08 grams, Struck Circa. 454 - 404 B.C.E.
Obverse: Head of Athena to right, wearing earring, necklace, and crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves and palmette, Concentric circle countermark representing Phoenician letter 'Ayin'
Reverse: Owl standing to right, head facing, olive sprig behind, AΘE to right, all within incuse square
A CHOICE, well centered Athens Tetradrachm, with only the slightest hint of wear! A beautiful example!
The concentric circle countermark is the first one we can encounter handling, and was so marked by the local government, to be accepted for circulation in the Levant. The circle with dot in the center represents the Phoenician letter 'Ayin", (Elayi and LeMaire, 1998, #198)
