When we think of the Classical world, it is Athens and her lasting achievements, which come immediately to mind. The architectural glories of the Parthenon, the dramas and comedies of her playwrights, the works of Plato, even the institution of democracy itself, all sprang from this one rich source. This splendid coin, depicting Athena (goddess of wisdom) on one side and her sacred owl on the other, was minted in that Golden Age. To wear it today is to connect us with a remarkable past, and to affirm our belief in its enduring heritage.