Replica of silver tetradrachm, Athens
The Athenian silver tetradrachm was dubbed “glaux” (Ancient Greek for “owl”) from the type on the reverse. It was the strongest currency for 2 consecutive centuries in antiquity, across the then-known world. The national side of the 1-euro coin is the reverse of the Athenian silver tetradrachm.
- Issuing authority: Athens
- Place: Attica
- Nominal value: Tetradrachm
- Dating: 430-420 BCE
- Metal: Silver
- Diameter: 24 mm
- Weight: 13.69 g
- Observe: Head of Athena wearing round earrings and Attic-style helmet with a floral and olive leaf decoration. The right-side view of the goddess’ head includes a depiction of the entire almond-shaped eye. Her lips are curved into the half-smile that is typical of Archaic Greek art.
- Reverse: Owl with its body facing right, head turned to face the front and wings folded. On the top left, an olive branch and a crescent. On the right, the first letters of the city’s name ΑΘΕ (ATHE) are struck vertically to the bottom of the type. The entire type is enclosed in an incuse square.
€45.00
