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

The Greek tetradrachm was a large silver coin widely used from the 5th century BCE onward. Struck by many city-states, its obverse often featured the head of a deity such as Athena or Apollo, while the reverse carried symbols of civic identity, like the Athenian owl. Valued at four drachmae, the tetradrachm became one of the most influential coins of the ancient world, circulating broadly across the Mediterranean.

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.

This coin was graded Ch AU (Choice Almost Uncirculated) by the Numismatic Grading Company, the official grading service of the American Numismatic Association and the Professional Numismatists Guild.  Here is a list of grades used by the NGC, as well as information about Strike, Surface, and Style ratings.

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