circa 300-100 BCE
Æ 13 mm, 1,30 g
Head of Athena right, wearing crested Attic helmet decorated with griffin
Owl standing right, head facing; NE monogram below
SNG Copenhagen 244; SNG von Aulock 1670
Neonteichos was the last of the Aeolian cities that I acquired, and I made it a major target. I really love the quality and look of the one I ended up buying.
There was some debate in ancient times which was older, Neonteichos or Kyme. Strabo put his argument on the side of Neonteichos, but the Vita Homer lists Kyme as eight years older. Strabo remarks that it was built by Pelasgians shortly after the Trojan War.
Given the image of Athena on the obverse and an owl on the reverse, it seems that Neonteichos was associated with Athens at the time this was minted.