Numismatic

Athens AR Tetradrachm Owl (440-404 BC) Ch AU NGC (Parliament) 3/5

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In the ancient world, few symbols carried as much weight and recognition as the Athenian silver tetradrachm. Minted between 440 and 404 BC in the region of Attica, this substantial silver piece weighs 17.22 grams and contains 0.4300 troy ounces of precious metal. This specific specimen has survived the millennia in exceptional Choice About Uncirculated condition, boasting a perfect five out of five surface rating and a three out of five strike rating. The obverse of the coin features the profile of Athena, the patron goddess of Athens, looking toward the right. She is depicted wearing a crested Attic helmet decorated with delicate olive leaves and a palmette, complemented by a simple round earring. On the reverse, her companion, the owl, stands facing three-quarters to the right with its head turned directly toward the viewer. Tucked behind the owl are a small olive sprig and a crescent moon, all framed within a deep incuse square. To the right of the owl, the bold Greek letters alpha, theta, and epsilon (A O E) are clearly visible, representing the city of Athens. This particular coin carries an intriguing modern provenance, having been identified as part of the Parliament collection, which refers to a hoard of these legendary Athenian owl coins unearthed in 2015.