Athenian Owl Tetradrachm

Few coins are as instantly recognisable. The owl tetradrachm financed the Athenian empire, paid for the Parthenon and circulated from the Aegean to the Levant. This example shows Athena's helmet with its olive leaves and floral ornament, while the reverse carries the owl, an olive sprig and the letters ΑΘΕ.

The coin was hand-struck on a broad flan; the irregular outline is original, not damage. Deep cabinet toning gathers in the recesses, throwing the relief into high contrast.

Athens' silver came from the Laurion mines, and the owl became a guarantee of purity across the ancient Mediterranean. Imitations were produced as far away as Egypt and the Levant — a tribute to the coin's reputation. The type survived for centuries, long after the city's political power had declined.