Athena Owl AR Tetradrachm c 440-404 BC Ch AU strike 4/5 surface 5/5

In ancient Greek religion, Athena is the goddess of wisdom, handicrafts, and war, and is often portrayed wearing armor and holding a shield and lance. She is the namesake of the city of Athens. Her struggle against Poseidon for dominion over the city is depicted in the Parthenon. She was not born - rather, she emerged from Zeus’s forehead fully grown. Some of her most famous mythological appearances are in Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, in which she fights alongside the Greeks in the Trojan War and provides Odysseus guidance on his journey home. Athena is associated with birds, especially owls, which is likely why there is an owl on the back of this coin.

Obverse: Helmeted head of Athena right

Reverse: Owl standing right, head front, between olive sprig and crescent on left and AΘE on right. Fun fact - this owl design was resurrected to be used on the reverse of Greek-issued 1 Euro coins!

Reference: GCV 2526, SNG Copenhagen 31