Athens in Attica, 459-449 BC., Obol, SNG Cop. 53 ff.

Athens in Attica, ca. 459-449 BC.,
Obol (ø 8-10 mm / 0,64 g), silver, axes irregular alignment ↑← (ca. 270°),
Obv.: head of Athena right, wearing crested Attic helmet with three olive leaves over visor and a spiral palmette on the bowl, hair in straight bands.
Rev.: ΑΘΕ , owl standing right, head facing, wings folded, sprig of one olive and one large leaf behind in upper left field, AΘE to right; all within incuse square.
SNG Cop. 53 ff. ; SNG München 77 ff. ; Svoronos pl. 8, 40ff. ; Seltman pl. XXIV ; SNG Berry 862 ; Starr Group V .

On Attic coins after ca. 480 BC. a wreath of olive leaves and a decorative scroll were added to Athena's helmet. At the same time, a crescent moon was added to the reverse of the tetradrachms, but it was not added to the obol until later. This coin is missing the crescent moon and also Athena's hair is in the more archaic straight bangs, rather than parallel curves. So it should be dated before the prolific issue beginning in 449 B.C.