Bust of Athena right / Owl standing left

Boldly struck with excellent detail, a fine example of Classical art at its best.

24mm, 17.23g

Obverse description: Head of Athena (goddess of wisdom) right, wearing earring, necklace and crested Attic helmet decorated with olive leaves.
Reverse description: Owl standing right, head facing, closed tail feathers; olive sprig and crescent to left, AOE to right; all within incuse square.

Attica is a historical region of Greece that encompasses the city of Athens. It is a peninsula projecting into the Aegean Sea, bordering on Boeotia to the north and Megaris to the west.

The Athenian ‘owl’ silver tetradrachm is one of the most influential coins of all time. During the 5th Century BC, when Athens emerged as the greatest of all Greek cities ‘owls’ were the most widely used international coin and helped spread Greek culture throughout the Mediterranean world. The peak of Athens success, between 510-400 BC, witnessed the birth of democracy, construction of the Parthenon, pinnacle of Classical art and the origins of Western literature. Never before or since has one city contributed so much to human progress.

The post Attica Athens 454-404 BC Silver Tetradrachm appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Europa with flowing veil, riding a bull to the left, with two dolphins below. Reverse: K-N/Ω/ΣI/ΩN, labyrinth, star above. Svoronos, Crète

Extremely Rare

20mm, 4.07g

An important piece from the classical world, any coins depicting the labyrinth are rare but to find one in this condition with this level of detail is a once in a lifetime event.

Ex Apollo to Apollo Collection; ex Kölner Münzkabinett Auktion 103, 2015, Los 23; ex Auktion Schulten, Köln 11.04.1988, Lot 123.

View Video Here

A detailed depiction of the Labyrinth of Knossos, built by the ingenious Attic inventor Daedalus for the Cretan King Minos to house the Minotaur. The latter—half man, half bull—was the result of the forbidden union between a bull and Queen Pasiphaë. In the end, the monster is slain by the Attic hero Theseus with the help of the king’s daughter, Ariadne. On the obverse, Europa, the mother of King Minos, is depicted.

The post Crete, Knossos c. 220 BC Bronze AE20 Depicting the Labyrinth *Extremely Rare* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Head of Kore Sotiera / Apollo sat on omphalos

21mm, 12.56g

Comes with old labels

This coin comes from the Cambridge collection of Ancient Greek Coinage. This extensive collection was formed over 40 years by a couple who shared their passion for classical history, carefully collecting as many known types as were available, spending hours labelling each coin and fitting it in to their collection. The kingdom of Ancient Greece is not easy to understand but illustrated with these wonderful coins a map emerges and being so beautiful in their design, they are a pleasure to handle. As with any collection the time comes where it must be passed on and in this case the collectors decided to sell each coin individually to give the next generation of enthusiasts the opportunity to select pieces for their own collections. Many of the coins have previous labels.

The post Mysia Kyzikos 3rd Century BC Silver Tetradrachm appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust of Zeus / Naked youth on horse

25mm, 14.34g

Comes with previous label

This coin comes from the Cambridge collection of Ancient Greek Coinage. This extensive collection was formed over 40 years by a couple who shared their passion for classical history, carefully collecting as many known types as were available, spending hours labelling each coin and fitting it in to their collection. The kingdom of Ancient Greece is not easy to understand but illustrated with these wonderful coins a map emerges and being so beautiful in their design, they are a pleasure to handle. As with any collection the time comes where it must be passed on and in this case the collectors decided to sell each coin individually to give the next generation of enthusiasts the opportunity to select pieces for their own collections. Many of the coins have previous labels.

The post Macedon Philip II 359-336 BC Silver Tetradrachm appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust of Apollo / Kithara in square

16mm, 2.30g

This coin comes from the Cambridge collection of Ancient Greek Coinage. This extensive collection was formed over 40 years by a couple who shared their passion for classical history, carefully collecting as many known types as were available, spending hours labelling each coin and fitting it in to their collection. The kingdom of Ancient Greece is not easy to understand but illustrated with these wonderful coins a map emerges and being so beautiful in their design, they are a pleasure to handle. As with any collection the time comes where it must be passed on and in this case the collectors decided to sell each coin individually to give the next generation of enthusiasts the opportunity to select pieces for their own collections. Many of the coins have previous labels.

The post Macedon Olynthos 432-348 BC Silver Tetrobol appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust of Apollo / Warrior on horse

25mm, 12.69g

This coin comes from the Cambridge collection of Ancient Greek Coinage. This extensive collection was formed over 40 years by a couple who shared their passion for classical history, carefully collecting as many known types as were available, spending hours labelling each coin and fitting it in to their collection. The kingdom of Ancient Greece is not easy to understand but illustrated with these wonderful coins a map emerges and being so beautiful in their design, they are a pleasure to handle. As with any collection the time comes where it must be passed on and in this case the collectors decided to sell each coin individually to give the next generation of enthusiasts the opportunity to select pieces for their own collections. Many of the coins have previous labels.

The post Paeonia Patraos 335-315 BC Silver Tetradrachm appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Laureate bust Apollo / Quadriga, Nike above

25mm, 16.44g

Comes with old dealers label

This coin comes from the Cambridge collection of Ancient Greek Coinage. This extensive collection was formed over 40 years by a couple who shared their passion for classical history, carefully collecting as many known types as were available, spending hours labelling each coin and fitting it in to their collection. The kingdom of Ancient Greece is not easy to understand but illustrated with these wonderful coins a map emerges and being so beautiful in their design, they are a pleasure to handle. As with any collection the time comes where it must be passed on and in this case the collectors decided to sell each coin individually to give the next generation of enthusiasts the opportunity to select pieces for their own collections. Many of the coins have previous labels.

The post Sicily Katane 440-430 BC Silver Tetradrachm appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Artemis / Quadriga with Nike above

25mm, 17.22g

Comes with previous label

This coin comes from the Cambridge collection of Ancient Greek Coinage. This extensive collection was formed over 40 years by a couple who shared their passion for classical history, carefully collecting as many known types as were available, spending hours labelling each coin and fitting it in to their collection. The kingdom of Ancient Greece is not easy to understand but illustrated with these wonderful coins a map emerges and being so beautiful in their design, they are a pleasure to handle. As with any collection the time comes where it must be passed on and in this case the collectors decided to sell each coin individually to give the next generation of enthusiasts the opportunity to select pieces for their own collections. Many of the coins have previous labels.

The post Sicily Syracuse 430-420 BC Silver Tetradrachm appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Head of Kore / Nike crowning trophy

24mm, 16.57g

This coin comes from the Cambridge collection of Ancient Greek Coinage. This extensive collection was formed over 40 years by a couple who shared their passion for classical history, carefully collecting as many known types as were available, spending hours labelling each coin and fitting it in to their collection. The kingdom of Ancient Greece is not easy to understand but illustrated with these wonderful coins a map emerges and being so beautiful in their design, they are a pleasure to handle. As with any collection the time comes where it must be passed on and in this case the collectors decided to sell each coin individually to give the next generation of enthusiasts the opportunity to select pieces for their own collections. Many of the coins have previous labels.

The post Sicily Agathokles 317-289 BC Silver Tetradrachm appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Head of Aphrodite / Head of Persian satrap

22mm, 10.73g

Comes with old labels

This coin comes from the Cambridge collection of Ancient Greek Coinage. This extensive collection was formed over 40 years by a couple who shared their passion for classical history, carefully collecting as many known types as were available, spending hours labelling each coin and fitting it in to their collection. The kingdom of Ancient Greece is not easy to understand but illustrated with these wonderful coins a map emerges and being so beautiful in their design, they are a pleasure to handle. As with any collection the time comes where it must be passed on and in this case the collectors decided to sell each coin individually to give the next generation of enthusiasts the opportunity to select pieces for their own collections. Many of the coins have previous labels.

The post Cilicia Mallos c380 BC Silver Stater appeared first on Silbury Coins.