Attica, Athens: AR Tetradrachm, c. 454-404 BC, Kroll 8, Dewing 1591-8, SNG Copenhagen 31

Attica, Athens: AR Tetradrachm, c. 454-404 BC, Kroll 8, Dewing 1591-8, SNG Copenhagen 31 (17.17 g, 24 mm)

An iconic type: likely the most well-known of all ancient coinage.

The obverse depicts Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and war, and the patron deity of Athens. The reverse depicts an owl, Athena’s mascot and symbol of wisdom. The significance of the other two symbols on the reverse is less obvious, but each has an interesting story.

The olive sprig is a reference to the story of how Athena became the patron deity of Athens. She and Poseidon, her uncle and sea god, both vied for the honour. Cecrops, the first king of Athens, announced that whoever gave the city the best gift will be honoured with its patronage. Poseidon created a spring, but its water was salty, like his sea. Athena’s gift was the olive tree, whose fruit, oil, and wood were very useful to the people. Cecrops declared Athena the winner, naming the city after her.


The significance of the waning-crescent moon is debated: it is suggested to represent night, during which the owl is active, or the Athenian victory at the Battle of Salamis or the Battle of Marathon. Another theory suggests that it is a reference to the Panathenaic festival.


Obverse: Head of Athena right, in crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, wearing round earring with central boss

Reverse: Owl standing to right with head facing, olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Crescent-shaped banker’s mark before owl.

 

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Beautiful example with good centering, detail and a nice tone. Well done!

Here is my example.

Attica Athens
AR tetradrachm, Athens mint, struck ca. 454 - 404 BC
Dia.: 24 mm
Wt.: 17.10 g
Obv.: Head of Athena right wearing created attic helmet with three olive leaves above visor and five pronged palmette, round earring with central boss, frontal eye
Rev.: ΑΘΕ; owl standing right with head facing, olive sprig and crescent to left
Ref.: Kroll 8, SNG Copenhagen 31

 

Great coin, @Amit Vyas ... very nice.

My Tet is a little later, and has been around with all the bankers marks... Since the Greek Goddess was slapped in the face a couple times, I doubt if this happened within the Greek World due to fears of offending Athena. That means it probably circulated outside: perhaps Persia? Arabia? Celts? India? Cool to postulate

Also, since I like everyday trade, I added a couple of the lesser denoms from Athens.

ATTICA OWLS


Athens Owl TET 16.8g 22x6-5mm Late Classical 393-300 BC, Sear 2537, SNG Cop. 63



Athens Attica 454-404 BCE AR HemiDrachm 16mm 2.08g Athena frontal eye - facing Owl wings closed olive branches COP 70 SG 2528



Athens 340-317 BCE BC AE 12 Athena attic helmet R- Double bodied Owl with head facing E olive sprigs kalathos RARE BMC 224

 

@Amit Vyas Welcome to the Club Tet

Here is my Athenian owl:

 

I recently got this one from CNG. The description said that the scratches were "Aramaic graffiti". If you say so, I guess. Looks like random scratches to me, but I assume they know what they're talking about.

 

Great specimen! The bankers mark is a perfect match with the coin. I wonder if it design was chosen purposely

 

ATTICA, Athens. AR Tetradrachm. Circa 449-413 BC. 24mm 16.80g
O: Helmeted head of Athena right, with frontal eye
R: Owl standing right, head facing, closed tail feathers; olive sprig and crescent to left; all within incuse square.
HGC 4, 1597

 

I really like your - well centered, good strike, good flan and metal

Did that coin come from the last Roma auction?

Here's one my owls that has been paraded before, so, just one more time, with feeling!

From Roma 62, Athens tetradrachm, circa 454-404 BC.

17.23 grams



While I'm at it, here's an intermediate owl.

Athens tetradrachm, circa 350-294 BC.

17.12 grams

This coin might be an imitation - still doing research.

 

I got it from a 2019 Roma auction.

 

Thanks

Roma has had quite a run of Athenian tetradrachms, especially mass production owls.