IONIA. Magnesia ad Maeandrum. Themistokles, circa 465-459 BC. Tetartemorion (Silver, 6 mm, 0.21 g, 8 h). Owl standing right, wings closed and head facing. Rev. Monogram of ΘE within linear square within incuse square. Nollé & Wenninger TH 6a. Extremely rare and in exceptional condition for the issue, arguably the finest known example. Light marks, otherwise, good very fine.


This issue was struck by the famous Athenian general Themistokles in Magnesia ad Maeandrum, one of the five cities that was given to him by the Persian Great King after his ostracism from Athens in the late 470s BC (the others being Myus, Lampsakos, Perkote and Palaiskepsis). The appearance of an owl on the obverse of this particular type is especially significant, as it was clearly copied from the coinage of Themistokles home city, Athens.