Artwork Page for Tetradrachm: Head of Athena (obverse); Owl (reverse)

Details / Information for Tetradrachm: Head of Athena (obverse); Owl (reverse)

Tetradrachm: Head of Athena (obverse); Owl (reverse)

449–440 BCE

Greek, minted at Athens

(Attica)
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Medium
silver
Measurements
Diameter: 2.3 cm (7/8 in.)
Weight: 17.2 g (0.607 oz.)
Credit Line
Gift of Dr. Jacob Hirsch 1941.296
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Did You Know?

The images of Athena and her owl unmistakably identify this coin as Athenian.

Description

Incorporating the first three letters of the city name—ΑΘΕ—with then-iconic images of the patron goddess Athena and her owl, the Athenian tetradrachm was among the most widely traded and most recognizable coins of the ancient world. The olive leaves on Athena’s helmet and the small crescent moon behind the owl date this coin after the Persian Wars.
A silver coin depicts, on our left, the profile of Athena facing our right. She wears a crested helmet adorned with olive leaves and has a large, almond-shaped eye. On our right, an owl stands facing us with large, circular eyes. An olive sprig and crescent moon sit to our left of the bird, while three Greek letters are stacked to our right.

Tetradrachm: Head of Athena (obverse); Owl (reverse)

449–440 BCE

Greek, minted at Athens (Attica)

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