Silver Tetradrachm, Ancient Greece - Athens, Struck c. 140-139 BC
Obv: Helmeted head of Athena, right
Rev: Owl standing on Amphora, Magistrates' names (Xenokles & Armoxenos), Dolphin & Trident, right
28 mm, 16.36gm (Thompson 1081a var.), Provenance: ex CNG
The "Owl" tetradrachm of Athens is one of the most famous and recognizable of all coins of the classical ancient world. Athens coinage with a bust of Athena on the front and an Owl on the back continued from its inception in 510 BC, to the Hellenistic period in the 1st century BC !
In Greek mythology, a Little Owl (Athene noctua) traditionally represents or accompanies Athena, the virgin goddess of wisdom, or Minerva, her incarnation in Roman mythology. Because of such association, the bird — often referred to as the "owl of Athena" or the "owl of Minerva" — has been used as a symbol of knowledge, wisdom, perspicacity and erudition throughout the Western world.
