Athenian Owl Tetradrachm--What Are These Spots?

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Author	Replies: 8 / Views: 1,775
DVCollector Bedrock of the Community United States 10045 Posts	Posted 02/03/2012 8:52 pm This is an intermediate owl tetradrachm 287-263 BC. It's a common flan shape for this type. I'm considering this coin because it has a well-centered owl and a great price! My only concern are these dark gray deposits (arrows). If you have experience with Greek silver coins, are these anything to be concerned about--or just inert surface deposits? Thanks for your input! Report this Post to the Staff

jessvc1 Pillar of the Community United States 2596 Posts	Posted 02/03/2012 9:26 pm I think thats just a little encrustation and nothing to worry about. Report this Post to the Staff
echizento Moderator United States 23731 Posts	Posted 02/03/2012 9:32 pm Nice coin, I agree just some specks of dirt. Report this Post to the Staff
DVCollector Bedrock of the Community United States 10045 Posts	Posted 02/03/2012 9:42 pm Thanks for the confirmation. I also suspected if it were "horn silver" (silver chloride) it wouldn't be just sitting on the surface, but spreading out an into the coin. I may just get this one. Report this Post to the Staff
Doucet Pillar of the Community United States 1315 Posts	Posted 02/03/2012 9:45 pm Even as they are, they don't distract from the coin much. BTW thanks for the Chi Rho google book on my last post DV. That will take me a while to wade through Report this Post to the Staff
DVCollector Bedrock of the Community United States 10045 Posts	Posted 02/03/2012 10:46 pm Thanks--if I get it, I won't do much other than a distilled water soak and maybe try a soft brush. Glad that book was interesting--it looked well-researched enough to share. Report this Post to the Staff
sel_69l Bedrock of the Community Australia 21788 Posts	Posted 02/04/2012 02:20 am What you have suggested may be OK, but there is no need for me to tell you to take care. Nice coin, well worth having if the price is right. Might have been stained by black silver sulphide or chloride salts. Not a big worry just now. I think there is a possibility that they may have grown in the last 50 years or so. Just make sure that it is not stored in an acidic environment. That should ensure that those spots will not grow any more. They can be very difficult to remove. Report this Post to the Staff
VisigothKing Pillar of the Community United States 4778 Posts	Posted 02/04/2012 1:41 pm Nice coin. I'd say go for it if you are comfortable with the price. Report this Post to the Staff
DVCollector Bedrock of the Community United States 10045 Posts	Posted 02/04/2012 2:11 pm I wasn't considering an Athens owl tet, until I saw this coin. It will stretch my coin budget, but not by much. The price is great--I can only guess that many collectors don't know this is a normal strike for the time. The nicely centered owl and lack of test cuts...I should probably decide before this one gets away. Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 8 / Views: 1,775

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