Object Description
A very fine, ancient Greek, Athenian, silver tetradrachm. The obverse displays the head of the Greek goddess Athena, shown in profile, facing right. She wears a crested Attic helmet, ornamented with three laurel leaves and vine scrolls. She has been adorned with jewellery, such as earrings, with her locks of hair framing her face from below the helmet. Her facial features, including her long, straight nose, full lips, slight smile, curving brow, and large, Archaic, almond-shaped eye, have been rendered carefully and stylistically. The reverse features an owl standing, with its body turned to the right and its head facing forward. The owl, much like the head of Athena on the obverse, has been portrayed stylistically, with large, circular eyes, folded wings, and pellets to represent its chest feathers. Behind the owl, a crescent moon and an olive-spring appears in the upper left field. The accompanying Greek legend, situated in the right field before the owl, reads AΘE, Athe. The owl and legend have been minted within an incuse square.
Date: Circa 449-419 BC