XF Athenian Owl Tetradrachm - 440-404 BC NGC Ancients

[@davidwest6019]

Dont want to sound like an ass, but I find it hilarious this was given a choice XF for numerous reasons. This is also why grading on Attica Tetradrachms that dont have the full visual style is unnecessary and wont affect price at all. It is also why grading ancients is frought with conflict - because many higher grades actually look worse than lower grades due to the metrics used that dont take into account how ancients were minted as opposed to moden coinage. Also remember, there are currently 10's of thousands of these (due to the hoard found in 2011 in Turkey), so even if you have an MS graded one, but it doesnt have the full feature list, it wont go for much money at all. Im saying this because I have a collection of around 30 of these, from various eras/dates, from the old 'ancient' style to the new style. If you collect these, ignore the grade, it means very very little. #1 are the features listed below: 1) Full Crest & Helmet w/ detailed palmettes 2) Full or On Center strike of reverse w/ detail enough to see all feathers & beak & palm frond leaves To give you an example of price difference, at auction, this would go for maybe $400 to 500. A lesser grade with the above features would go for $1000 to 3000. The most expensive 454 to 404 BC Attica Tetradrachm in recent auction went for $6000, and was an VF/almost EF with the above features and beautifully full diameter and iridescence. Ive also seen MS graded ones with terrible detail going for around $600/700.

[@bigstacknumismatics4965]

Hello David - thank you so much for your comment and knowledge. First of all, you definitely do not sound like an ass. Having thought about your comment, I believe that you are 100% correct in your assessment that Attica Tetradrachms that have the full crest and helmet with all of the details are more sought after and valuable than other examples "graded" higher. As always, buy the coin not the holder, right? Thanks for your insight David.

[@davidwest6019]

@@bigstacknumismatics4965 I still feel like I sounded like an ass ;). Exactly that though, with ancients, buy the coin not the holder. Best is to go to CNG archives and find the coin youre shopping for, and get a feel for hammer price. As for US coins, the holder has a lot of weight. Especially since modern coins look so damn similar at 1x, the holder carries the professional opinion of someone who is scrutinizing it at 10x or more and grading it relative to the other thousands.

[@asheland_numismatics]

Great points mentioned. 👍

[@meteoman7958]

Incredible high relief. Took a couple of millennia to achieve that quality again.

[@ClassicalNumismatics]

They really needed a THICK holder for that little guy eh! Thats one of the most iconic ancient pieces ever struck, I love the direction your ancients collection is going.

[@bigstacknumismatics4965]

Thank you so much Classical Numismatics!

[@tylonnplatinumthe3rd659]

Great job detailing probably the most iconic ancient coin ! Super ultra high relief

[@bigstacknumismatics4965]

Thanks so much Tylonn - talk about history in your hands!

[@texasjoe557]

nice channel you have. looking forward to it.

[@SilverStruck]

Awesome coin! I've been picking up ancient Roman coins lately. Seeing this coin in your hands and hearing about the history surrounding the Owl Tetradrachm, I have to add one to the collection at some point. Wonderful example, nicely struck for an ancient coin.

[@bigstacknumismatics4965]

Heya Silver Struck, sorry for getting to this comment so late. Have you been able to find one for your collection? I really do love this design.

[@SilverStruck]

@@bigstacknumismatics4965 No worries Big Stack! I haven't added one of the Athenian Owls yet. It's on my shopping list!

[@Ontario100]

Beautiful coin. One of my favorites! ⭐️ 👍 ⭐️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

[@bigstacknumismatics4965]

Same here!

[@SilverLumberjack]

Incredible piece for the collection. I believe there is a round that recently came out with that owl design too. Very nice addition for you Big Stack.

[@bigstacknumismatics4965]

Thanks Silver Lumberjack - this coin is amazing

[@asheland_numismatics]

Revisiting this video. I finally have one in the mail! 😄

[@asheland_numismatics]

Woo hoo. Finally got one! 🤗

[@bigstacknumismatics4965]

asheland, congrats!! - I just headed over to your channel to find it and what a stunner you have. Nice and round and AU!

[@asheland_numismatics]

@@bigstacknumismatics4965 thanks! 🤗

[@silversurfer1986]

Fantastic review of this coin bud. I’ve always wanted one too. Someday I’ll nab one. Love that Teddy Roosevelt carried one. Man the equivalent of what it would pay for is crazy to think about. Really neat. Thanks for sharing

[@bigstacknumismatics4965]

Thanks Silver Surfer - a coin like this Owl Tetradrachm is the closest thing to a time machine that I have access to!

[@silversurfer1986]

@@bigstacknumismatics4965 No doubt!

[@bullionaddict9164]

What a great looking coin 🪙 ancient coins are very cool.

[@zeuslabarber512]

Its hard to believe that ,that coin is so old, in such good condition, yet the prices can be worth less than some more modern coins. Very nice Coin !!!

[@bigstacknumismatics4965]

Hey Zeus - so true. It's one of the thing I love about numismatics. Coins like this can exist and still be found and purchased. It boggles my mind to imagine where this has been over the years!

[@donaldinnewmexico]

Hi Big. That is a great coin. But you know that. I like the high relief. Thanks. *TYU*

[@bigstacknumismatics4965]

Thanks Donald!

[@champstar9669]

For the 2021 version, check out the 2021 Niue 1 oz Silver $2 Athenian Owl Stackable Coin.

[@johnhartley5217]

Great coin, one of my favorites. Maybe one day I'll have one.

[@bigstacknumismatics4965]

Thanks John - I really hope you get an ancient Owl someday

[@coincollectingfun]

Smashed the like button! So awesome 😎

[@andreykocherga2879]

Монета супер , главное что бы была оригинальной .😊 Лайк .

[@asheland_numismatics]

Definitely one on the want list. Nice example there! 👍

[@bigstacknumismatics4965]

Thanks asheland!

[@asheland_numismatics]

@@bigstacknumismatics4965 you bet! 😊

[@machine260292]

That thing is so cool!!

[@JasonParker_114]

Very cool, looks like the die was a bar that the silver imprinted over on the reverse.

[@bigstacknumismatics4965]

Good call Running Eagle!

[@FlerkenCats]

Very beautiful coin 🙂👍

[@silvercoins]

Cool 🔥👍👍👍

[@IKnewMickey]

If I saw that raw I'd swear it was fake. It's way too nice. Congrats on that addition!

[@bigstacknumismatics4965]

I totally agree - that is why I needed to buy this Owl in a slab, for sure. Thanks Results are In

[@angusamongus7566]

Is xf better than Ef?

[@ineedhelpsoon]

Let it breath!!!

[@bigstacknumismatics4965]

I know, I know Discovering History - I really wish I could, but I am not smart enough on my own to know the coin is not fake without the slab. Someday!

[@IbrahimAli-bw5sg]

لدي قطعة من عملة البومة وزنها ٥٠ غرام كيف أبيعها،

[@ag4713]

Thats a beautiful specimen. Looks better than xf.

[@bigstacknumismatics4965]

Thanks Ag!

[@KozmicKarmaKoala]

Not a pretty Owl. Nothing worse than an ancient coin in a slab. From a 61 yr. old Numismatic Koala. Thanks for the video !

[@greyfur9825]

The owl’s name is “Boo-Boe”! ..and he whistles like a flute!

[@2true359]

Just like the Original Clash of the Titans

[@رضوانالسيد-ص4ش]

هل بعرفه

[@theconquistador8862]

AOE on the coin..... Age of Empires???? Lol

[@bigstacknumismatics4965]

haha, exactly ;)

[@667hodge]

Too bad you don't know the history/ connection between Athena and the Owl

[@bigstacknumismatics4965]

I just read up on some of the legends regarding this - interesting stuff

[@Degenpilot]

let the coin free break it out free it lol

[@seyhmustarhan7934]

can we contact you I have old coin