Collection Online as of October 3, 2023
Tetradrachm: Owl, standing, r., crescent moon and olive branch above (reverse)
Part of a set. See all set records
Greek, minted at Athens
(Attica)
Silver
Gift of Dr. Jacob Hirsch 1941.296.b
Location
not on view
Fun Fact
The images of Athena on the obverse and her owl here 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 three of these coins after the Persian Wars.