Where did Athens get SO much silver to make all those silver owl tetradrachmae?

You guys all know the Athenian Owl tetradrachm.

I shared mine not long ago.

Apparently these coins were minted in massive quantities and spread internationally.

But where did Athens get all that silver?

I can't imagine that they were exporting nearly enough to get it all from trade. Nor can I imagine they got it from war booty.

Did they have access to some huge silver mines?

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

I believe the silver is from the mines at Laurion.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mines_of_Laurion

 

The Mines of Moria (Middle Earth)

 

Unfortunately, they delved too greedily and too deep. You know what they awoke in the darkness of Khazad-dum? Shadow and Flame!

 

Haha I love it. They delved too deep to make that hoard of tets they found several years ago and woke a Balrog. Pretty sure thats what happened.