ATTICA. Athens. Circa 454-404 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 24 mm, 17.12 g, 8 h). Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves and palmette. Rev. ΑΘΕ Owl standing right, head facing; to left, olive sprig; all within incuse square. HGC 4, 1597. Kroll 8. Svoronos pls. 12-17 passim. A highly interesting piece lacking the crescent on the reverse. Traces of cleaning, otherwise, good very fine.


On this piece the crescent on the reverse is, surprisingly, absent. In theory this could be the result of a clogged die, yet even under the microscope no trace of a crescent can be detected. It is therefore most likely an engraver’s error – a feature that renders the coin especially intriguing to the specialist collector.