Own a Silver Athenian Owl from the Final Centuries of Greek Independence

A real silver tetradrachm struck in ancient Athens — featuring the famous owl that became one of the most trusted and widely recognized coins of the ancient world.

Weight: 16.9 grams
Diameter: 22 mm
Date: 350–294 BC
Pedigree: Ex Numismatik Naumann Auction 66, Lot 32

✓ Guaranteed Authentic
✓ Carefully Verified
✓ 30-Day Returns

🏛 Struck in ancient Athens over 2,300 years ago
🦉 Features the legendary owl of Athens
⚔ Circulated during the age of Macedonian expansion and the successors of Alexander the Great
🤲 A genuine piece of Greek history you can hold

Own This Piece of History

Why This Coin Matters

The Athenian Owl is one of the most famous coins ever struck.

For centuries, Athens produced silver tetradrachms bearing the image of Athena and her sacred owl. These coins became the preferred trade currency across much of the Mediterranean and remain among the most recognizable artifacts of the ancient world.

The obverse features Athena, goddess of wisdom and protector of Athens. Her crested helmet and powerful portrait symbolized the city whose philosophers, artists, and statesmen helped shape Western civilization.

The reverse displays the owl, Athena's sacred companion and the enduring emblem of the city. Alongside the owl appear the traditional olive sprig and the inscription ΑΘΕ, short for "of the Athenians."

This particular tetradrachm belongs to a fascinating later chapter in Athenian history. Struck between 350 and 294 BC, it was produced after Athens had lost much of the dominance it enjoyed during its Golden Age. The city remained wealthy and influential, but the balance of power in Greece was shifting.

These coins circulated during the rise of Philip II of Macedon, the conquests of Alexander the Great, and the turbulent struggles of Alexander's successors. While Athens was no longer the dominant power of the Greek world, its coinage remained respected and trusted throughout the Mediterranean.

Collectors often appreciate these later owls because they connect directly to one of the most dramatic transitions in ancient history—the shift from the age of the independent Greek city-states to the vast kingdoms of the Hellenistic world.

Perfect For

• Ancient Greek coin collectors
• Athenian Owl enthusiasts
• Students of Classical and Hellenistic history
• Collectors seeking an iconic ancient coin
• Anyone looking for a centerpiece Greek silver coin

What You'll Receive

• The exact silver tetradrachm shown
• Struck at Athens, Attica, 350–294 BC
• Athena obverse and owl reverse
• Silver tetradrachm denomination
• 16.9 grams of ancient silver
• Approximately 2,300 years old
• Ex Numismatik Naumann Auction 66, Lot 32

Buy with Confidence

• Guaranteed authentic ancient coin
• Carefully sourced and verified
• 30-day return policy
• Secure shipping from the U.S.

New to Ancient Coins?

Few coins carry the historical significance of the Athenian Owl. From the Golden Age of Athens through the rise of Alexander the Great and beyond, these silver tetradrachms served as one of the ancient world's most trusted currencies. More than 2,300 years later, they remain a cornerstone of ancient coin collecting and a direct link to the civilization that helped shape the modern world.