The athenian owl silver tetradrachm is unquestionably one of the most influential coins of all time. Athenian culture flourished until the peloponnesian war in 431404 bc when sparta defeated the athenians. Athens had silver mines in state ownership, which provided the bullion. An olive sprig is featured in the top left corner, and a crescent is located above the owls wing. Athenian owl ar tetradrachm javascript must be enabled for vcoins to work properly. Up for sale here is an excellentancient greece athens athena and owl tetradrachm 454404 bc, 17. Athens in central greece was a great cultural and political center throughout the 5th century b. Owls through the years a look at the evolution of athenian tetradrachms. Commonly referred to as owls, these coins were struck, with few interruptions, between c. For this reason, the classical owl silver tetradrachm was trusted from kingdom to kingdom and were used by noted individuals such as pythagoras, democritus, hippocrates, socrates, plato, aristotle, euclid, archimedes. An athenian silver owl tetradrachm in removable antique wood mount.
To access the full database of over 5 million records, please consult coinarchives pro. It has a copy countermark on the reverse, which on these particular replicas is sometimes at the owl s feet, as on the above piece, and sometimes below this outside the incuse square. Uploaded by mark cartwright, published on 21 august 2012 under the following license. Buy tetradrachm ancient greek coins and get the best deals at the lowest prices on ebay.
This is an important time in the history of ancient greece, and these silver tetradrachm are a fine reflection. Discussion in ancient coins started by silverdrachm, jun 14. Great savings free delivery collection on many items tetradrachm ancient greek coins for sale ebay. This fourdrachma coin also known as a tetradrachm features the helmeted head of the greek goddess athena on one side and her symbolic bird, the owl, on the other. Jan 24, 2019 the earlier owl tetradrachms were the dominant international trade coinage but eventually changed into a new stylized tetradrachm. Ancient athens greece athena owl tetradrachm coin 393294 bc ngc choice au. The descriptions of coins in this book tell stories about such remarkably.
It can sometimes be difficult to find examples of the coins from this time without test cuts. At left, crescent and olive twig with leaves and berry. Make offer ancient athens greece athena owl tetradrachm silver coin 393294 bc ngc fine ancient athens greece athena owl tetradrachm coin 440404 bc ngc choice xf. The charming creature stares at the viewer through large round eyes, an olive sprig and crescent in left field. Creative commons attributionnoncommercialsharealike. New tetradrachm overview the new style of athenian owlsocalled due to the iconic image of athenas owl on the reverseoriginated in a greece newly conquered by the romans. Athens silver owl tetradrachm ngc choice mint state 5x5. Ancient coins the most famous coin of antiquity the.
The object identified as an athenian tetradrachm was an ancient greek silver coin with a weight equivalent to four drachmae, used as payment for soldiers or in international trade, and was in wide circulation from 510 bc until 38 bc. This replica copies an early classical owl, sear 2518. I am thinking about buying some athenian owl tetradrachms and found these. Dec 20, 20 you have an athenian tetradrachm the coins usually seen date from 4494 bc. Get the best deals on athens owl tetradrachm when you shop the largest online selection at. Ancient athens greece athena owl tetradrachm coin early 455. From mesopotamia, across the levante and arabia, to egypt, persian satraps, egyptian pharaohs, and local rulers struck imitative athenian type tetradrachms. Athenian owl silver tetradrachm is considered to be one of the most recognizable coins in history because they were the first widely used coins in international trade. The owl of athena even became the common obverse of the athenian tetradrachms after 510 bc and according to philochorus, the athenian tetradrachm was known as glaux, little owl throughout the ancient world and owl in presentday numismatics. The athenian tetradrachm was widely used in transactions throughout the ancient greek world, including in cities politically unfriendly to athens. Unfollow tetradrachm owl to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. The earlier owl tetradrachms were the dominant international trade coinage but eventually changed into a new stylized tetradrachm. The tetradrachm was an ancient greek silver coin equivalent to four drachmae. Coin tetradrachm of athens getty museum getty center.
Notably, one of the most important, popular and artistically renown coins in numismatics today, the silver owl of athens is a legitimate collectors coin, and the opportunity to own one in mint state grade is few and far between, to say the least. Owls were commonly reproduced by athenians in vases, weights and prize amphoras for the panathenaic games. Ancient greek athenian owl 4494 bc tetradrachm money. Ancient greek silver owl tetradrachm from athens, 454 bc at. Although the reference to athens has disappeared in favour of europe, the link between both coins of historic importance, the 5th century bc tetradrachm and the euro of today, is still strongly present thanks to the owl and the olive branch.
This is a very scarce athens ar tetradrachm with sharp detail and a nice overall look. This mini metal replica is an interpretation of an owl taken from a silver tetradrachm coin from athens, 5 th century bc. A miniature pewter replica of an athenian owl, measuring 3. Ancient greekroman style silver charms, necklaces and rings. Own an ancient greek coin, and youll truly hold history in your hands. The athenians minted the thick and heavy athenian owl tetradrachm, which remains the most recognizable ancient coin to this day.
Ancient greek coins from the region of attica, modernday attic peninsula of greece, projecting into the aegean sea. Athenian owls, thick, heavy, highrelief silver coins minted more than 2,000 years ago, were arguably the most influential of all coins, and the classical owl tetradrachm, pictured above, is the most widely recognized ancient coin among the general public today. Th e athenian tetradrac hm was stamped with the head o f athe na on the obverse, and on the reverse the image o f t h e owl of at hena, the iconographic symbol of the ath enian polis, with a sprig of olive and a crescent for the moon. An archaic silver tetradrachm from athens, dating to around 490 bc. The wing and three tail feathers are clearly portrayed. Athenian silver tetradrachm illustration ancient history. Does anyone else know names of other books that focus more on athenian tetradrachm. Jan 27, 2020 ancient athens greece athena owl tetradrachm coin early 455440 bc ngc vf. Aug 29, 2018 new tetradrachm overview the new style of athenian owlsocalled due to the iconic image of athenas owl on the reverseoriginated in a greece newly conquered by the romans. The letters are alpha, theta, epsilon and are the abbreviation for the citystate. Many different kinds of coins are considered ancient greek coins, including ptolemaic bronzes and athenian silver owls. This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content noncommercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. Athenian tetradrachm coin, catalogue number c002 obverse. Although the style evolved, the coins retained the same basic design of athena on the obverse and her patron owl on the reverse.
In athens it replaced the earlier heraldic type of didrachms and it was in wide circulation from c. Levant or egypt, imitative athenian type tetradrachm, c. Owl with pronged tail and closed wings, olive spray, lunar crescent. The reverse with the iconic coat of arms of athens, the little owl. During the fifth century bc, when athens emerged as the greatest of all greek cities, owls were the most widely used international coin and helped to spread greek culture throughout the mediterranean world. When one thinks of ancient athens, images of the acropolis, the parthenon and the temple of zeus come to mind. It appears that javascript is disabled in your browser, so many features will not function correctly. The owl, symbolizing wisdom, is the symbol of the ancient greek citystate of athens. Supplies books classifieds dealer directory eventscalendar.
The athenian owl tetradrachm played an essential role in athens rise to greatness. The letters aoe is an abbreviation for of athenians history the mark of athena was a coin that the goddess athena gave to a select few of her demigod offspring to avenge her against the romans for stealing her sacred statue. The olive branch, which was a common theme in athenian currency, symbolizes athenas peaceful victory over poseidon. It has a copy countermark on the reverse, which on these particular replicas is sometimes at the owls feet, as on the above piece, and sometimes below this outside the incuse square. Athenian silver tetradrachm ancient history encyclopedia.
Ancient greek coin attica athena and owl silver tetradrachm no. Attica owl ancient coins athenian empire coins buy ancient owl. Some were struck with styles much different from the athenian originals. The bird is shown in profile, its head turned to face the viewer, staring through large, round eyes, an olive sprig in the top left field. Athenian owl greek coin highlights heritage cicf sale coin world. It appears that javascript is disabled in your browser, so. The athenian drachma, a long tradition from antique coin. A classic athenian silver tetradrachm graded mint state by ngc ancients. The obverse with the helmeted head of athena facing right, the reverse with an owl. Now you can hold an actual piece of that history in your hands. Athens, other cities of attica, and athenian imitatives.
Athenian owl silver tetradrachm, circa 440 to 404 b. The bird is shown in profile, its head turned to face the viewer, staring through large, round eyes, an. The most famous of ancient coins, the silver tetradrachm 4drachm piece of. The owl of athena even became the common obverse of the athenian tetradrachms after 510 bc and according to philochorus, the athenian tetradrachm was known as glaux, little owl throughout the ancient world. Search for athens tetradrachm owl in upcoming auctions at. Whether you prefer the history of an owl from the archaic period, the grandeur of an owl from the classic period, or the art from the hellenistic period, mcm has the athenian owls you want. We are a nonprofit organization and we would rather spend the money on our mission to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide.
The athenian tetradrachma knows a very long history and today it enjoys a second life as euro coin. Stylistically, this coin is dated to the earlier part of this period, followed by a few subsequent changes before the large emissions. The obverse with the helmeted head of athena, in bold archaic style. Its collected not only for its beauty, but because this coin was a stabilizing force in the known world, at that time, and is a reminder of all that. The period that followed was a time of rehabilitation for athens. From the late 6 th century bc, the design of athenian coins was standardised to depict athena and her sacred bird, the owl the replica is ideal as a desk ornament or small souvenir gift. For centuries, athens was one of the most powerful and respected citystates in the aegean the pinnacle of culture in the ancient world. Buy low price, high quality athena with worldwide shipping on.
The original athenian owl silver tetradrachm was introduced in the 5th century bc during the golden age of athens partially to fund construction of the parthenon. They feature the goddess athena the patron deity of athens on the obverse and on the reverse, an owl. The ancient slang names for the coins of athens were owls and girls but in greek of course. Athenian owls, as they were called, were minted in athens for over four hundred years, beginning in the 510s b. They span hundreds of years and thousands of miles across the ancient world. Colin kraay in his 1976 book archaic and classical greek coins contended that the. These are extraordinary pieces of history, and are sure to sell out fast at these prices. This month, ngc ancients traces the development of athenian tetradrachms, popularly referred to as owls, during the period c. Dated 465462bc, it was likely issued to pay for the athenian campaign to conquer thasos in 463 bc.
The obverse with the helmeted head of athena facing right, the reverse with an owl standing right, head facing, a. Ancient coins the most famous coin of antiquity the athenian owl. Unfollow athenian owl to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. The reverse depicts the emblem of athens, the little owl. Athena on the obverse of their coins was the divinity of attica. Ancient athens greece athena owl tetradrachm coin early. Ancient greek coins are one of the most popular ancient coin types to collect.
Mar 17, 2017 i am thinking about buying some athenian owl tetradrachms and found these. One of the most treasured coins of collectors worldwide is an ancient silver coin from greece known as the athenian owl tetradrachm. Each coin struck by hand your athenian owl silver tetradrachm was carefully struck by ancient artisans more than two millennia ago. The athenian drachma, a long tradition from antique coin to. Attica coins for sale buy attica coins from the most. The smaller cut behind the owl barely broke through the silver plating requiring the crossbody cut to be certain that the coin was bad. Ancient greek silver owl tetradrachm from athens, 454 bc. The owl is depicted with its head turned to the front and tilted slightly. Athenian tetradrachm world history coins donald scarinci. Your search for athens tetradrachm owl matched 1233 lots. Tetradrachms of athens have long been one of the most popular series amongst collectors of ancient coins. Up for sale here is an excellentancient greece athens athena and owl tetradrachm 393294 bc, 17.
This tetradrachm was struck after the end of the spartan occupation, and provided the athenians the resources to reestablish the city state as a major commercial and cultural power. Sep 30, 2019 the reverse features an owl, which is why the coins are often referred to as athenian owls. Tetradrachm of athens with head of athena talisman. Athens greece athena owl tetradrachm coin 454404 bc xf with test mark. The reverse features an owl, which is why the coins are often referred to as athenian owls. You have an athenian tetradrachm the coins usually seen date from 4494 bc. Shop gr athens attica greece athena owl tetradrachm ancie tetradrachm f ngc and more authentic and unique collectibles coins at amazons collectible coins store.
The vast number of owlstetradrachms available those days mainly from the. From the late 6 th century bc, the design of athenian coins was standardised to depict athena and her sacred bird, the owl. Most well known were the silver mines of laurium at a close distance from athens. Ancient greek athenian owl 4494 bc tetradrachm money of the bible p. Category includes athens, athenian cleruchs of delos, eleusis, and oropus. During that golden age, it struck the most famous of all ancient coins. These examples date from that rebirth of athenian history.