Please Note: This is an authentic Ancient Greek Treasure Coin, and you will receive the exact pendant in the photographs and description.
FOR PENDANT SIZE SEE COIN DETAILS BELOW
Perhaps as famed as the Hercules drachms of Alexander the Great, the stunning Athena and the Owl silver tetradrachms of Athens have come to symbolize all that is ancient Greece. Thick and deeply struck, with their classic Greek art in high-relief, it is this coin that is often called to mind when we think of the glory of ancient Greece. Minted in the powerful city state of Athens, Athenian Owls bear the image of the patron goddess of Athens, Athena on one side, and her constant companion, the Owl of Wisdom, on the other.
Athens - glittering jewel of the Greek city states is one of the world's oldest cities, with a fabled history spanning 3,400 years. The most influential center of trade, arts and philosophy of the ancient world, both Plato and Aristotle based their academies in Athens, which is now revered as the birthplace of Western civilization and democracy.
Minted for over 500 years, "Owls," as they were called in the Ancient world just like they are today, were the world's first widely known and accepted trade currency. Soon followed by Alexander the Great's drachms and tetra drachms, then the Roman Empire's Denarii, the concept of a world trade coin stretched into the age of exploration with the Spanish Reales, or "Pieces of Eight" and the dollar of today.
April's Notes: Beautiful Owl and Athena with sharp details. The Greeks first began minting Athena/Owl pieces circa 450 BC. This one is a later, more stylistic and chunky coin. Athenian Tetradrachms of this era are quite substantial - this coin is a 1/4" thick adding to the depth of detail and beauty.
Note the “Banker’s Mark” circled in red. This mark was made by a banker or merchant who was testing to see if the coin was counterfeit - just copper, with a thin silver wash. They took a small tool and hammered it into the coin to see if the metal below the surface was also silver. It was. Just another day in ancient Greece!
One of the most coveted of any coin ever minted, Athenian Owl Tetradrachms were minted in the classic Greek style of a thick, deeply struck coin – giving Athena and the Owl an almost three dimensional depth, and the coin a subtle dome. They were also some of the first coins ever minted, and are still regarded as one of the most beautiful and symbolic coins ever struck.
Fun Facts about Athenian Owls:
Athena, the goddess of both wisdom and war, was the patron goddess of Athens, and while most Owls were minted in this city state, both Athena and the Owl appear on the coins of other Greek city states throughout the ancient western world.
What does AEO mean? "AOE" is an abbreviation of AOENAION, which means, "of the Athenians."
Heads or Tails? We often say that everything we do every day has a history. Did you know when you grab a coin for a coin flip and shout “Heads or Tails” you are referencing the Athenian Owl? It is this coin that started the tradition – with the “Head” of Athena, and the “Tail” of the Owl.
A Presidential Pocket Piece: U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt kept an Athenian Owl in his pocket for luck and protection.
with your treasure coin purchase. Choose your chain and enter Coupon Code: CHAIN at checkout. (Does not apply to discounted clearance chains.)
with your treasure coin purchase. Choose your chain and enter Coupon Code: CHAIN at checkout. (Does not apply to discounted clearance chains.)
Questions? Confused? Looking for a gift? We're experts at matching treasure to people. Give us a call at 503.436.1626, join us on Live Chat, or drop us an email at treasure@cannonbeachtreasure.com.
Questions? Confused? Looking for a gift? We're experts at matching treasure to people. Give us a call at 503.436.1626, join us on Live Chat, or drop us an email at treasure@cannonbeachtreasure.com.
