ATTICA. Athens. Circa 430s-420s BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 18 mm, 7.31 g, 3 h). Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves and palmette. Rev. [A]ΘE Owl standing right, head facing; to left, olive sprig and crescent; all within incuse square. Kroll 8. Svoronos pls. 12-13 passim. Beautifully toned. Test cut on the obverse and circa 60 % of the flan cut off in antiquity to create 'Hacksilber', otherwise, good very fine.


The cutting of Greek silver coins into smaller pieces was common practice, particularly in the Levant, where coinage was often treated as silver bullion and cut down to irregular pieces that changed hands not by denomination, but by weight.