Ancient Greek Mysia,Pergamon Copper AE17 Athena with Owl Reverse, 133-27BC

Description

Denomination: Copper AE17

Period: Ancient Greece. Hellenistic 

Date: 133-127BC

Origin: Pergamon mint

Condition: VF+ with lovely patina

Obverse: Head of Athena facing right wearing a crested helmet decorated with a star

Reverse: Owl with spread wings standing right. head facing. on a palm frond. AOH NAS above in Greek lettering and NIKPHOPOY below

Size and Weight: 16.5mm. 4.02g

References: BMC187. S3964

Features and Provenance: Athena was the goddess of both wisdom and warfare. and the patron goddess of Athens. The owl was Athena’s mascot. so rightly appears on the reverse of these coins. both now and then. Pergamon is famous for its Temple of Athena from the 4 century BC and was added to during the time of this coin under Eumenes II. The remains of the temple can still be seen today. It is also renowned for having had the second biggest library in the ancient world after that of Alexandria. but its whereabouts are uncertain.

Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades between

Uncirculated (U). As struck with no traces of wear

Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear. all parts of legend etc present. visible and clear

Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief. all parts of legend etc present. but maybe worn

Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible