ATTICAAthens Ca. 440-404 BC AR tetradrachm Arabia Greek Coin Owl Silver Ancient

  

AR tetradrachm (25mm, 17.20 gm, 8h). Head of Athena right, wearing earring, necklace, and crested Attic helmet ornamented with three laurel leaves and vine scroll, circular countermark with Aramaic letter on cheek / ATE, owl standing right, head facing; olive sprig with two leaves and one berry, and crescent moon behind, all within incuse square. Solidly struck on satiny flan. Countermark expertly struck and placed. The ubiquitous Athenian owl tetradrachm was widely imitated in the Levant, Arabia and Egypt, with copies ranging from crude to barely distinguishable from "official" issues of Athens.

Likewise, Athenian tetradrachms were countermarked with Aramaic letters or bear graffito with one or more Aramaic letters while circulating in the Levant. An overview of these punches van Alfen, p. 5 shows that they were personal badges of magistrates or bankers' marks. All items are reviewed by a professional numismatist (NGC Authorised dealer) and a Certificate of Authenticity is issue for all items above 50 USD!!