PHILISTIA (PALESTINE). Uncertain mint. Mid 5th century-333 BC. Tetartemorion (Silver, 5 mm, 0.14 g, 10 h). Helmeted head of Athena to right. Rev. Α⊙ Owl standing to right, head facing the viewer; to left, olive sprig; all within incuse square. HGC 4, -. Meshorer & Qedar 325. Svoronos, Trésor, -. A fascinating little coin. The design completely clear and with a dark patina as found. Some uncleaned deposits, otherwise, good very fine.

From the "Collection sans Pareille" of Ancient Greek Fractions and from the collection of L. Mildenburg, received as a present from his friend Kando (Khalil Iskandar Shahin) in Bethlehem.

This would seem to be a perfectly normal Athenian coin, albeit a tiny one, datable to the late 5th century BC. But if it were "a perfectly normal Athenian coin", we wouldn't need to have a note, would we! In fact, while the Athenians did mint tetartemoria - 1/4 obols - in the 5th and early 4th century, they had a crescent on their reverses, not an owl! So, despite its legend, this coin is not Athenian!! It is one of the many imitations of Athenian coins struck in the Levant.