Silver Athenian Owl Tetradrachm — The World's Most Famous Ancient Coin

Own a Coin from the Golden Age of Athens

A real Greek silver tetradrachm struck in ancient Athens during the city's greatest era of power, wealth, and cultural achievement.

Weight: 17.18 grams
Date: 449–413 BC
Pedigree: Ex Pegasi Numismatics

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🏛 Struck during the Golden Age of Athens
🦉 Features the famous owl that became one of the most recognized symbols of the ancient world
⚔ Circulated during the age of Pericles and the Peloponnesian War

Own This Piece of History

Why This Coin Matters

Few coins in history are as famous as the Athenian Owl.

Struck in Athens during the city's Golden Age, this silver tetradrachm became one of the most trusted trade coins of the ancient world. From Egypt to the Black Sea, merchants recognized the unmistakable owl of Athens, making it one of history's first truly international currencies.

The obverse features Athena, goddess of wisdom and patron deity of Athens. Wearing her crested helmet, Athena symbolized the intelligence, military strength, and civic pride that helped transform Athens into the leading naval and cultural power of Classical Greece.

The reverse displays the city's iconic owl, sacred to Athena and recognized throughout the Mediterranean. Beside it appear an olive sprig, representing peace and prosperity, a crescent moon, and the inscription ΑΘΕ—an abbreviation for "of the Athenians." Together, these elements formed one of the most enduring and recognizable coin designs ever created.

This particular coin was struck between 449 and 413 BC, one of the most extraordinary periods in human history. Athens was completing the Parthenon, producing the works of great playwrights such as Sophocles and Euripides, and laying the intellectual foundations of Western civilization through thinkers including Socrates.

At the same time, Athens and Sparta were locked in the Peloponnesian War, a conflict that reshaped the ancient Greek world. Coins like this helped finance the city's powerful navy, thanks largely to the rich silver mines at Laurion, whose output underpinned Athenian prosperity and influence.

More than 2,400 years later, the Athenian Owl remains one of the most sought-after coins in all of ancient numismatics—a symbol of democracy, philosophy, commerce, and artistic achievement. For many collectors, it is the essential centerpiece of a Greek coin collection.

Perfect For

• Ancient Greek coin collectors
• Fans of Classical Greek history
• Peloponnesian War enthusiasts
• Collectors seeking a cornerstone ancient coin
• Anyone looking to own one of history's most famous coins

Coin Details

• The exact silver Athenian Owl tetradrachm pictured
• Civilization: Ancient Greece
• City: Athens, Attica
• Century: 5th Century BC
• Date: 449–413 BC
• Denomination: Silver Tetradrachm
• Obverse: Head of Athena
• Reverse: Owl with olive sprig, crescent, and ΑΘΕ
• Weight: 17.18 grams
• Pedigree: Ex Pegasi Numismatics
• Guaranteed authentic

Continue the Story

The Athenian Owl became the most influential silver coin of the Classical Greek world, circulating from the Aegean to Egypt and beyond.

Explore our other Greek silver coins to discover the remarkable city-states, rulers, and civilizations that shaped the ancient Mediterranean—from Athens and Sparta to the kingdoms that followed Alexander the Great.

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