The famous owl, so named because of the characteristic representation of the reverse, is a coin that, as Mariusz Mielczarek points out, became one of the most important means of payment of the entire Greek world of the classical era in the fifth century BC. A coin minted at the height of Athens' economic and political power, or at the beginning of this powerful polis' path to collapse as a result of the defeat of the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC). We can safely say that the Athenian tetradrachma was the equivalent of today's dollar in terms of trust, which meant that the Athenians did not change the appearance of the coin for almost a century.
A very nice piece, with preserved mint luster in the corners.
Obverse: Head of Athena a in front with eye framed "in front".
Reverse: Owl standing straight ahead, behind it an olive branch and crescent moon, inscription AΘE.
Silver, diameter 25 mm, weight 17.13 g.
