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Tetradrachm: Head of Athena (obverse); Owl (reverse)
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Incorporating the first three letters of the city name—ΑΘΕ—with then-iconic images of the patron goddess Athena and her owl, the Athenian tetradrachm was among the most widely traded and most recognizable coins of the ancient world. The olive leaves on Athena’s helmet and the small crescent moon behind the owl date this coin after the Persian Wars.
| Artist / Maker | Greek, minted at Athens (Attica) |
|---|---|
| Date | 449–440 BCE |
| Culture / Origin | Greek, minted at Athens (Attica) |
| Medium | silver |
| Dimensions | Diameter: 2.3 cm (7/8 in.) |
| Department | Greek and Roman Art |
| Type | Coins |
About the Artist
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
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