Here is a little coin which really got me interested in Ancient coins:

It’s worn, but look at that gorgeous owl! Even more impressive considering this coin was struck up to 133 years before the time of Christ. The closest CoinProject reference I’ve found for this is listed as 133 – 27 BC. Struck in the city of Pergamon (Pergamos, in modern Turkey), the city was part of the Mysia region, on the coast of the Sea of Marmara, part of the Ancient Greek empire.

The obverse of the coin features the helmeted head of the Greek Goddess Athena. Athena was associated with wisdom, warfare, and handicraft, and was often associated with an owl.

While this little bronze coin may not be the classical large ΑΘE silver tetradrachm many collectors covet (ok, it’s true, I’d like to get one myself one day too!) it is the same type of representation, and that got me excited!

What has gotten you excited in numismatics lately?