ATTICA. Athens. Circa 165-42 BC. Drachm (Silver, 19 mm, 4.23 g, 12 h), Glau... and Eche..., magistrates, 138/7. Head of Athena Parthenos to right, wearing triple-crested Attic helmet adorned with Pegasos and long tendril on the bowl, and with the foreparts of four horses above the visor. Rev. Α-ΘΕ / ΓΛ/AY - EXE Owl standing facing on amphora; to right, radiate and draped bust of Helios facing; on amphora, I; to lower left, A; all within laurel wreath. HGC 4, 1635. Thompson 310c (this coin). Beautiful old collection toning and with a fine pedigree. The reverse struck slightly off center, otherwise, good very fine.



This attractive 'New Style' drachm once belonged to William Talbot Ready (1857-1914), an intriguing figure at the turn of the nineteenth to the twentieth century. Early in his career, he worked at the British Museum as a 'repairer and cleaner of antiquities,' particularly in the Egyptian and Assyrian Department. He later entered the coin trade and, after the death of Francis Edward Wheelan (1848-1907), took over the London branch of the auction house Rollin & Feuardent. Interestingly, William Talbot’s brother Augustus P. Ready succeeded him as a cleaner at the British Museum, while another brother, Charles, would later serve in the same capacity, together forming a veritable dynasty of brothers in that role at the Museum.