{"product_id":"ancient-greek-silver-tetradrachm-of-athens-350-294-bc-owl-type-with-ancient-countermarks-authenticated-ancient-coin","title":"Ancient Greek Silver Tetradrachm of Athens (350–294 BC, Owl Type with Ancient Countermarks), Authenticated Ancient Coin","description":"\u003ch1 data-section-id=\"1dawh4\" data-start=\"141\" data-end=\"194\"\u003eOwn a Silver Athenian Owl with Ancient Countermarks\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"196\" data-end=\"395\"\u003eA real silver tetradrachm struck in ancient Athens — featuring the famous owl of Athena and bearing ancient countermarks that tell an additional chapter of its long journey through the ancient world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"397\" data-end=\"521\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"397\" data-end=\"408\"\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 16.5 grams\u003cbr data-start=\"419\" data-end=\"422\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"422\" data-end=\"435\"\u003eDiameter:\u003c\/strong\u003e 23 mm\u003cbr data-start=\"441\" data-end=\"444\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"444\" data-end=\"453\"\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 350–294 BC\u003cbr data-start=\"464\" data-end=\"467\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"467\" data-end=\"480\"\u003ePedigree:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ex Numismatik Naumann Auction 66, Lot 36\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"523\" data-end=\"587\"\u003e✓ Guaranteed Authentic\u003cbr data-start=\"545\" data-end=\"548\"\u003e✓ Carefully Verified\u003cbr data-start=\"568\" data-end=\"571\"\u003e✓ 30-Day Returns\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"589\" data-end=\"786\"\u003e🏛 Struck in ancient Athens over 2,300 years ago\u003cbr data-start=\"637\" data-end=\"640\"\u003e🦉 Features the iconic owl of Athens\u003cbr data-start=\"676\" data-end=\"679\"\u003e🔨 Bears ancient countermarks applied during circulation\u003cbr data-start=\"735\" data-end=\"738\"\u003e🤲 A genuine piece of Greek history you can hold\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"1dwhvtw\" data-start=\"788\" data-end=\"816\"\u003eOwn This Piece of History\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"bwi71h\" data-start=\"818\" data-end=\"843\"\u003eWhy This Coin Matters\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"845\" data-end=\"919\"\u003eFew coins in history achieved the fame and acceptance of the Athenian Owl.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"921\" data-end=\"1146\"\u003eFor centuries, Athens struck silver tetradrachms bearing the image of Athena and her sacred owl. These coins circulated across the Mediterranean and Near East, becoming one of the most trusted currencies of the ancient world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1148\" data-end=\"1307\"\u003eThe obverse features Athena, goddess of wisdom, warfare, and protector of Athens. Her portrait remained one of the most recognizable images in ancient coinage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1309\" data-end=\"1472\"\u003eThe reverse displays the owl, the enduring symbol of the city. Alongside it appear the traditional olive sprig and the inscription ΑΘΕ, meaning \"of the Athenians.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1474\" data-end=\"1744\"\u003eThis example was struck between 350 and 294 BC, during a transformative period in Greek history. Athens remained a major cultural and commercial center, but political power was increasingly shifting to Macedon and the successors of \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eAlexander the Great\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1746\" data-end=\"1819\"\u003eWhat makes this coin especially interesting are its ancient countermarks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1821\" data-end=\"2197\"\u003eCountermarks were small punches applied after a coin left the mint. Ancient governments, merchants, bankers, or local authorities sometimes added these marks to verify a coin's authenticity, approve it for circulation in a particular region, or reaffirm its value. In many cases, countermarks indicate that a coin continued circulating far from where it was originally struck.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2199\" data-end=\"2505\"\u003eRather than diminishing the coin's historical significance, these marks often add another layer to its story. They serve as evidence that the coin remained active in commerce long after it was first produced, passing through multiple hands, markets, and perhaps even different kingdoms during its lifetime.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2507\" data-end=\"2690\"\u003eFor collectors, countermarked owls offer a fascinating glimpse into the realities of ancient trade and banking, preserving not only the original coin but also traces of its later use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"9n3n4e\" data-start=\"2692\" data-end=\"2707\"\u003ePerfect For\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"2709\" data-end=\"2895\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"fhrv3r\" data-start=\"2709\" data-end=\"2740\"\u003eAncient Greek coin collectors\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1etcmm9\" data-start=\"2741\" data-end=\"2767\"\u003eAthenian Owl enthusiasts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1a3pap5\" data-start=\"2768\" data-end=\"2803\"\u003eCollectors of countermarked coins\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"8croy9\" data-start=\"2804\" data-end=\"2844\"\u003eStudents of ancient commerce and trade\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"dry6sl\" data-start=\"2845\" data-end=\"2895\"\u003eAnyone seeking a historically unique silver coin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"g8g4oz\" data-start=\"2897\" data-end=\"2920\"\u003eWhat You'll Receive\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"2922\" data-end=\"3220\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1bsjoxz\" data-start=\"2922\" data-end=\"2958\"\u003eThe exact silver tetradrachm shown\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"cvffkx\" data-start=\"2959\" data-end=\"2997\"\u003eStruck at Athens, Attica, 350–294 BC\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1p97w8q\" data-start=\"2998\" data-end=\"3030\"\u003eAthena obverse and owl reverse\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1swtl6h\" data-start=\"3031\" data-end=\"3080\"\u003eAncient countermarks applied during circulation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"dp5bzj\" data-start=\"3081\" data-end=\"3114\"\u003eSilver tetradrachm denomination\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"zki2fu\" data-start=\"3115\" data-end=\"3145\"\u003e16.5 grams of ancient silver\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1r9yrp7\" data-start=\"3146\" data-end=\"3177\"\u003eApproximately 2,300 years old\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"15vh8f4\" data-start=\"3178\" data-end=\"3220\"\u003eEx Numismatik Naumann Auction 66, Lot 36\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"13cesj2\" data-start=\"3222\" data-end=\"3245\"\u003eBuy with Confidence\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"3247\" data-end=\"3370\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1wvrlmi\" data-start=\"3247\" data-end=\"3282\"\u003eGuaranteed authentic ancient coin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1uhk1r7\" data-start=\"3283\" data-end=\"3315\"\u003eCarefully sourced and verified\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"17308vk\" data-start=\"3316\" data-end=\"3338\"\u003e30-day return policy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1idiyh0\" data-start=\"3339\" data-end=\"3370\"\u003eSecure shipping from the U.S.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"56vcv0\" data-start=\"3372\" data-end=\"3397\"\u003eNew to Ancient Coins?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3399\" data-end=\"3746\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eThe Athenian Owl is one of the most famous coins ever produced, but examples with ancient countermarks tell an even richer story. Beyond its origins in Athens, this coin preserves evidence of its continued circulation and acceptance across the ancient world, making it both a classic Greek coin and a witness to centuries of commerce and exchange.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kinzer Coins","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51310442381618,"sku":null,"price":775.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0970\/6202\/7570\/files\/ancient-greek-silver-tetradrachm-of-athens-350-294-bc-owl-type-with-ancient-countermarks-authenticated-ancient-coin-2169248.png?v=1781489526","url":"https:\/\/kinzercoins.com\/products\/ancient-greek-silver-tetradrachm-of-athens-350-294-bc-owl-type-with-ancient-countermarks-authenticated-ancient-coin","provider":"Kinzer Coins","version":"1.0","type":"link"}