The most iconic ancient Greek coin featuring Athena is the Athenian Owl Tetradrachm.
Here’s a breakdown of what makes it so significant:
- Obverse (front): Features a helmeted head of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and warfare and the patron deity of Athens. She’s depicted in profile, often wearing a crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves over the visor and a spiral palmette on the bowl.
- Reverse (back): Shows the Athenian owl, Athena’s sacred bird and a symbol of wisdom and prosperity. It’s typically shown standing right, with its head facing, alongside an olive twig with leaves and berries, [according to CoinWeek] . The letters AOE (ΑΘΕ), an abbreviation for “of the Athenians” are also present.
- First international trade coin: The Athenian Owl Tetradrachm is considered the first coin to be heavily circulated internationally. It served as a widely accepted currency across the ancient world, including the Near East and Egypt. Its consistent value and recognized design facilitated trade and commerce between different cultures.
- Economic powerhouse: The coin’s widespread use reflected Athens’ economic and political power during its golden age. The silver used in its minting came from the Athenian mines at Laurion, providing a consistent source of revenue that helped finance projects like the building of the navy and the rebuilding of the Acropolis.
- Symbol of Athenian identity: The imagery of Athena and her owl symbolized the strength, wisdom, and cultural identity of the city-state. The coins served as a form of propaganda, showcasing Athens’ prestige and power.
- The Athenian Owl Tetradrachm was minted for centuries, from around 510-480 BCE until the first century BCE. This long lifespan is testament to its widespread acceptance and the success of its design.
- Even after the decline of Greek civilization, the influence of the Athenian Owl was felt. For instance, the design inspired the minting of similar coins by other civilizations, including Sparta. The owl design was even adopted by Greece on its 1 Euro coin.
In essence, the Greek Athena coin, particularly the Athenian Owl Tetradrachm, was more than just currency; it was a powerful symbol of Ancient Greek culture, economy, and political influence.
What does the Athena coin mean?
Thanks for asking. The motifs on the coins are directly related to Athens: Athena, goddess of both warfare and wisdom, was the protector of the city, while the owl on the reverse is one of the attributes of Athena – the goddess was said to have the eyes of an owl due to her ability to see what is obscure (wisdom), as the owl can see in …
What is Athena Greek currency?
I can help with that. Athenian coinage
The tetradrachm (“four drachmae”) coin was perhaps the most widely used coin in the Greek world prior to the time of Alexander the Great (along with the Corinthian stater). Athenian coinage was especially attractive due to the purity of the silver used to create each coin.
Are Greek coins worth anything?
Thanks for asking. Ancient Greek coins, those in greater conditions, can be extremely valuable and, consequently, sought-after. Nevertheless, we do believe that incorporating such an instance can boost the quality and cultural significance of a collection for good.
What was the ancient Greek Athenian coin?
Coin (tetradrachm) of Athens. 475–465 B.C. The obverse of this coin shows a head of Athena in right profile, wearing a crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves above the visor and a spiral palmette on the bowl.