Ancient Greece - 440-404 BCE Attica, Athens Owl AR Tetradrachm NGC AU

ATTICA. Athens. Ca. 440-404 BC. AR Tetradrachm (17.17 gm). NGC AU 5/5 - 4/5. Mid-mass coinage issue. Obverse: Head of Athena right, wearing earring, necklace, crested Attic helmet decorated with three laurel leaves and vine scroll. Reverse: AΘE, owl standing right, head facing; olive sprig and crescent moon behind, all within incuse square. HGC 4, 1597. SNG Copenhagen 31-40. Kroll 8. Solidly struck with full details on high-relief portrait and deep-incuse reverse. Well-centered devices on both sides. Obverse offers light gold and peach patina, while the reverse presents golden brown toning. A splendid example of this quintessential issue of ancient coinage. 

Athene noctua, the Little Owl, which is the famous device on the reverse of this coin and is still found in Europe and Asia today in the 21st century. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

The obverse of Athena's image is a blend of attractiveness and coercion, for her femininity is topped off with a martial helmet. A similar theme is found upon the United States Type 2 Standing Liberty quarters of 1917-1930. The genus of owl found on the coin's reverse has been identified as the Athene noctua, the Little Owl, which is native to the Mediterranean sea area. Such creatures stand six to eight inches tall, and weigh between 2.5 and 4.5 ounces. The olive sprig, which refers to Athens' primary export of olive oil, ironically serves as a symbol of peace upon a coin that was used to fund wars. The initials 'AOE' stand for 'AOENAION'--"of the Athenians."