We are a nonprofit organization and we would rather spend the money on our mission to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. Athens in central greece was a great cultural and political center throughout the 5th century b. The obverse with the helmeted head of athena facing right, the reverse with an owl. Colin kraay in his 1976 book archaic and classical greek coins contended that the. Please help us cover our server costs for this year. Aug 29, 2018 new tetradrachm overview the new style of athenian owlsocalled due to the iconic image of athenas owl on the reverseoriginated in a greece newly conquered by the romans. The athenian drachma, a long tradition from antique coin. The smaller cut behind the owl barely broke through the silver plating requiring the crossbody cut to be certain that the coin was bad. Creative commons attributionnoncommercialsharealike. To access the full database of over 5 million records, please consult coinarchives pro. The olive branch, which was a common theme in athenian currency, symbolizes athenas peaceful victory over poseidon.
Attica coins for sale buy attica coins from the most. The wing and three tail feathers are clearly portrayed. Ancient coins the most famous coin of antiquity the. Up for sale here is an excellentancient greece athens athena and owl tetradrachm 393294 bc, 17. The vast number of owlstetradrachms available those days mainly from the. The obverse with the helmeted head of athena, in bold archaic style. They span hundreds of years and thousands of miles across the ancient world. The owl of athena even became the common obverse of the athenian tetradrachms after 510 bc and according to philochorus, the athenian tetradrachm was known as glaux, little owl throughout the ancient world. Athenian silver tetradrachm ancient history encyclopedia. The bird is shown in profile, its head turned to face the viewer, staring through large, round eyes, an.
These are extraordinary pieces of history, and are sure to sell out fast at these prices. The descriptions of coins in this book tell stories about such remarkably. Unfollow athenian owl to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. It has a copy countermark on the reverse, which on these particular replicas is sometimes at the owl s feet, as on the above piece, and sometimes below this outside the incuse square. Ancient greek athenian owl 4494 bc tetradrachm money of the bible p. Supplies books classifieds dealer directory eventscalendar.
Ancient greek coins are one of the most popular ancient coin types to collect. Own an ancient greek coin, and youll truly hold history in your hands. Buy tetradrachm ancient greek coins and get the best deals at the lowest prices on ebay. Ancient greek silver owl tetradrachm from athens, 454 bc at. This tetradrachm was struck after the end of the spartan occupation, and provided the athenians the resources to reestablish the city state as a major commercial and cultural power. Whether you prefer the history of an owl from the archaic period, the grandeur of an owl from the classic period, or the art from the hellenistic period, mcm has the athenian owls you want. This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content noncommercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. Category includes athens, athenian cleruchs of delos, eleusis, and oropus. Athenian owl ar tetradrachm javascript must be enabled for vcoins to work properly.
Athens had silver mines in state ownership, which provided the bullion. Athens silver owl tetradrachm ngc choice mint state 5x5. The charming creature stares at the viewer through large round eyes, an olive sprig and crescent in left field. An archaic silver tetradrachm from athens, dating to around 490 bc. Attica owl coins are made of ancient silver for coin collectors who want to buy ancient greek silver coins from ancient attica greece.
Great savings free delivery collection on many items tetradrachm ancient greek coins for sale ebay. During the fifth century bc, when athens emerged as the greatest of all greek cities, owls were the most widely used international coin and helped to spread greek culture throughout the mediterranean world. For this reason, the classical owl silver tetradrachm was trusted from kingdom to kingdom and were used by noted individuals such as pythagoras, democritus, hippocrates, socrates, plato, aristotle, euclid, archimedes. This replica copies an early classical owl, sear 2518. From the late 6 th century bc, the design of athenian coins was standardised to depict athena and her sacred bird, the owl. Owls through the years a look at the evolution of athenian tetradrachms. For centuries, athens was one of the most powerful and respected citystates in the aegean the pinnacle of culture in the ancient world. Its collected not only for its beauty, but because this coin was a stabilizing force in the known world, at that time, and is a reminder of all that. Athena on the obverse of their coins was the divinity of attica. Stylistically, this coin is dated to the earlier part of this period, followed by a few subsequent changes before the large emissions. When one thinks of ancient athens, images of the acropolis, the parthenon and the temple of zeus come to mind. Notably, one of the most important, popular and artistically renown coins in numismatics today, the silver owl of athens is a legitimate collectors coin, and the opportunity to own one in mint state grade is few and far between, to say the least. The athenians minted the thick and heavy athenian owl tetradrachm, which remains the most recognizable ancient coin to this day. These examples date from that rebirth of athenian history.
Make offer ancient athens greece athena owl tetradrachm silver coin 393294 bc ngc fine ancient athens greece athena owl tetradrachm coin 440404 bc ngc choice xf. From mesopotamia, across the levante and arabia, to egypt, persian satraps, egyptian pharaohs, and local rulers struck imitative athenian type tetradrachms. Dec 20, 20 you have an athenian tetradrachm the coins usually seen date from 4494 bc. The owl, symbolizing wisdom, is the symbol of the ancient greek citystate of athens. During that golden age, it struck the most famous of all ancient coins. An olive sprig is featured in the top left corner, and a crescent is located above the owls wing. The reverse features an owl, which is why the coins are often referred to as athenian owls. It can sometimes be difficult to find examples of the coins from this time without test cuts. Many different kinds of coins are considered ancient greek coins, including ptolemaic bronzes and athenian silver owls. Athenian owls, as they were called, were minted in athens for over four hundred years, beginning in the 510s b. Shop gr athens attica greece athena owl tetradrachm ancie tetradrachm f ngc and more authentic and unique collectibles coins at amazons collectible coins store.
Up for sale here is an excellentancient greece athens athena and owl tetradrachm 454404 bc, 17. Athenian owl greek coin highlights heritage cicf sale coin world. Ancient greekroman style silver charms, necklaces and rings. Dated 465462bc, it was likely issued to pay for the athenian campaign to conquer thasos in 463 bc. Athens greece athena owl tetradrachm coin 454404 bc xf with test mark. Athenian owl silver tetradrachm is considered to be one of the most recognizable coins in history because they were the first widely used coins in international trade. Uploaded by mark cartwright, published on 21 august 2012 under the following license.
Ancient athens greece athena owl tetradrachm coin 393294 bc ngc choice au. Although the reference to athens has disappeared in favour of europe, the link between both coins of historic importance, the 5th century bc tetradrachm and the euro of today, is still strongly present thanks to the owl and the olive branch. The athenian tetradrachm was widely used in transactions throughout the ancient greek world, including in cities politically unfriendly to athens. Athenian owls, thick, heavy, highrelief silver coins minted more than 2,000 years ago, were arguably the most influential of all coins, and the classical owl tetradrachm, pictured above, is the most widely recognized ancient coin among the general public today.
Ancient greek athenian owl 4494 bc tetradrachm money. The period that followed was a time of rehabilitation for athens. Ancient athens greece athena owl tetradrachm coin early. It has a copy countermark on the reverse, which on these particular replicas is sometimes at the owls feet, as on the above piece, and sometimes below this outside the incuse square. Mar 17, 2017 i am thinking about buying some athenian owl tetradrachms and found these. Athenian culture flourished until the peloponnesian war in 431404 bc when sparta defeated the athenians. Ancient greek silver owl tetradrachm from athens, 454 bc. This is a very scarce athens ar tetradrachm with sharp detail and a nice overall look. An athenian silver owl tetradrachm in removable antique wood mount.
A miniature pewter replica of an athenian owl, measuring 3. Does anyone else know names of other books that focus more on athenian tetradrachm. This mini metal replica is an interpretation of an owl taken from a silver tetradrachm coin from athens, 5 th century bc. Levant or egypt, imitative athenian type tetradrachm, c. Sep 30, 2019 the reverse features an owl, which is why the coins are often referred to as athenian owls. Discussion in ancient coins started by silverdrachm, jun 14. New tetradrachm overview the new style of athenian owlsocalled due to the iconic image of athenas owl on the reverseoriginated in a greece newly conquered by the romans. Coin tetradrachm of athens getty museum getty center. Jan 24, 2019 the earlier owl tetradrachms were the dominant international trade coinage but eventually changed into a new stylized tetradrachm. Athenian tetradrachm world history coins donald scarinci. From the late 6 th century bc, the design of athenian coins was standardised to depict athena and her sacred bird, the owl the replica is ideal as a desk ornament or small souvenir gift. The reverse depicts the emblem of athens, the little owl.
Th e athenian tetradrac hm was stamped with the head o f athe na on the obverse, and on the reverse the image o f t h e owl of at hena, the iconographic symbol of the ath enian polis, with a sprig of olive and a crescent for the moon. It appears that javascript is disabled in your browser, so many features will not function correctly. The letters are alpha, theta, epsilon and are the abbreviation for the citystate. The athenian owl silver tetradrachm is unquestionably one of the most influential coins of all time. Find tetradrachm owl from a vast selection of coins. The reverse with the iconic coat of arms of athens, the little owl. Ancient athens greece athena owl tetradrachm coin early 455.
Owl with pronged tail and closed wings, olive spray, lunar crescent. Search for athens tetradrachm owl in upcoming auctions at. A classic athenian silver tetradrachm graded mint state by ngc ancients. Now you can hold an actual piece of that history in your hands. The obverse with the helmeted head of athena facing right, the reverse with an owl standing right, head facing, a. Owls were commonly reproduced by athenians in vases, weights and prize amphoras for the panathenaic games. Commonly referred to as owls, these coins were struck, with few interruptions, between c.
Some were struck with styles much different from the athenian originals. Get the best deals on athens owl tetradrachm when you shop the largest online selection at. Attica owl ancient coins athenian empire coins buy ancient owl. The object identified as an athenian tetradrachm was an ancient greek silver coin with a weight equivalent to four drachmae, used as payment for soldiers or in international trade, and was in wide circulation from 510 bc until 38 bc. Your search for athens tetradrachm owl matched 1233 lots. Each coin struck by hand your athenian owl silver tetradrachm was carefully struck by ancient artisans more than two millennia ago. Athenian silver tetradrachm illustration ancient history. The tetradrachm was an ancient greek silver coin equivalent to four drachmae. Athens, other cities of attica, and athenian imitatives.
The most famous of ancient coins, the silver tetradrachm 4drachm piece of. The earlier owl tetradrachms were the dominant international trade coinage but eventually changed into a new stylized tetradrachm. Buy low price, high quality athena with worldwide shipping on. This month, ngc ancients traces the development of athenian tetradrachms, popularly referred to as owls, during the period c. The original athenian owl silver tetradrachm was introduced in the 5th century bc during the golden age of athens partially to fund construction of the parthenon. The letters aoe is an abbreviation for of athenians history the mark of athena was a coin that the goddess athena gave to a select few of her demigod offspring to avenge her against the romans for stealing her sacred statue. It appears that javascript is disabled in your browser, so. Ancient greek coin attica athena and owl silver tetradrachm no. Unfollow tetradrachm owl to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Ancient coins the most famous coin of antiquity the athenian owl. The bird is shown in profile, its head turned to face the viewer, staring through large, round eyes, an olive sprig in the top left field. The athenian drachma, a long tradition from antique coin to. At left, crescent and olive twig with leaves and berry. The owl is depicted with its head turned to the front and tilted slightly.
The ancient slang names for the coins of athens were owls and girls but in greek of course. I am thinking about buying some athenian owl tetradrachms and found these. Ancient greek coins from the region of attica, modernday attic peninsula of greece, projecting into the aegean sea. In athens it replaced the earlier heraldic type of didrachms and it was in wide circulation from c. Most well known were the silver mines of laurium at a close distance from athens. Tetradrachm of athens with head of athena talisman. This fourdrachma coin also known as a tetradrachm features the helmeted head of the greek goddess athena on one side and her symbolic bird, the owl, on the other. You have an athenian tetradrachm the coins usually seen date from 4494 bc. Tetradrachms of athens have long been one of the most popular series amongst collectors of ancient coins. Athenian tetradrachm coin, catalogue number c002 obverse. This is an important time in the history of ancient greece, and these silver tetradrachm are a fine reflection.
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