Owl Drachm: Athens or imitation (Judaea, Philistia, Gaza)? With some bonus owls and Samarian

Main topic: I've been wondering about this Athens (?) Drachm since I (successfully) bid on it (Roma Numismatics Limited, E-Sale 16, 28 Feb 2015, Lot 74). Their photo.

The weight is only ~3.35g (14.5mm, 1h), which might happen with a heavily cleaned encrusted one, but is more consistent with some of the Judaean-Philistian-Gazan types. Even Bablyonian?! (See Agora 34, 91.)

Most imitations are obviously not Athenian issues, but others stuck closely to the prototypes. I kinda think it looks more like (some of) the imitations, but could be my imagination. From my notes on this one:

Comparanda:
For Phlistia, Gaza imitations, see Gitler and Tal 2006; esp. Gitler & Tal VII.1D (possible var./crescent missing?); or possibly VIII.1D var?
Cf. CNG e-Auction 374 (11 May 2016), Lot 229 (different dies, similar style, esp. obv.) = Agora Sale 34 (9 June 2015), Lot 91 (as Babylonia, fourree).​

Any thoughts?


Here's my no-doubt Philistian/Gazan imitation Obol. Apologies for image quality. The crescent behind the owl gives it away (as well as the square flan and other details of style).

Agora Auctions, Sale 18 (14 Oct 2014), Lot 22. Greek Phlistia, Gaza. 5th-4th B.C. AR obol (8.2 mm, 0.66 g, 11 h). Their photo:

Tiny! With some other tiny friends:


A recent totally non-Athens-related Samarian AR Obol (Ma'eh; 8mm, 0.57 g, 12h) from the Samaria Hoard (SH 165 = MQ 1999: 187 (cited on page 77, 117) = MQ 1991: 71 = Athena Fund II 972 = Wyssman (2019) MQ187.J. = ex Jay Galst Collection, his tags ill.):


Some classical Tets:

New Style (first one is CNG's photo):

PLEASE POST: Any opinions on the Drachm (Athens or imitation) or any Judaean, Philistian, Gazan, Samarian, etc., or just some owls if you're in the mood!​

 

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Nice drachm and obol! Your drachm has very nice detail for this very scarce type. The obol has a very nice reverse.

That's also a nice group of tetradrachms. What year is your new style tetradrachm?

I think your coin is very likely one minted in the Levant. I leafed through Starr, which is probably not the most comprehensive text for Athenian drachms, but from what I see in the book's photos, and comparing them to your coin, there's a very good chance that your coin is of eastern origin.

My 4th century BC drachm is very crude, encrusted, crystalized, corroded and worn, purchased from an Israeli source, so they too are likely from that region. For an added feature, the obverse has a die shift strike.

This coin weighs 3.8 grams





As for an owl from the Levant, specifically Philistia, this is one that I've posted before, and feel comfortable making the attribution. There aren't any distinguishing marks, so I cannot attribute this coin to a city in the region.

17.1 grams

 

I can't really comment on the coin since it's far beyond my expertise, but the coin does look nice. I've been after a Gaza sample for some time.

Here's a recent acquisition.

JUDAEA, Achaemenid Province (Yehud). Anonymous. Circa 375-332 BCE. AR Gerah (7.2mm, 0.6 g, ). Helmeted head of Athena right / Owl standing right, head facing; lily and crescent to left, YHD (in Phoenician) to right. MCP YHD .Hendin 1050; cf. HGC 10, 435.
Ex Holyland Ancient Coins​