Athenian Silver Tetradrachm in the New Style, 2 Century BCE
Silver
C.6194
Further images
Obverse: Helmeted Head of Athena Partheno Reverse: Owl Standing on an Amphora Surrounded by an Olive Wreat The glories of ancient Athens are well known. From the ubiquitous photograph of...
Obverse: Helmeted Head of Athena Partheno
Reverse: Owl Standing on an Amphora Surrounded by an Olive Wreat
The glories of ancient Athens are well known. From the ubiquitous photograph of the Parthenon high upon the Acropolis overlooking the city to the writings o Plato and Socrates, ancient Athens has permeated our modern lives. In fact, man foundations of our modern world have their roots in Athens, the birthplace o democracy and philosophy. Athens was a city of orators, whose convincin arguments would sway the voting populace, made up of male citizens, to chang argument into policy. Perhaps Athens is so important because it gave a voice t the individual; that is, if you were qualified to speak. The transfer of powe from the elite to the masses, a social phenomenon that first flourished i Athens, would revolutionize the governing structures of the world for the nex two thousand years. In a way, we are all Athenians. Just looking at architectur of our nation’s capital proves the lasting impact this ancient city continue to have today.
How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or purse? What eras an lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reac into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of wh might have touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to afte it leaves our hands. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state tha struck them, of a specific time and location, whether contemporary currencies o artifacts of long forgotten empires. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals a expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lackin in contemporary machine-made currencies. The helmeted head of Athena, warrio Goddess of wisdom, graces the obverse of this coin. She was the mythic protecto of Athens and the source of the city’s name. Her attribute was the owl,
depicted on the reverse of the coin, an animal also associated with wisdom,
perhaps through its relation with the Goddess. This magnificent coin is memorial to the ancient glories of Athens passed down from the hands o civilization to civilization, from generation to generation.
Reverse: Owl Standing on an Amphora Surrounded by an Olive Wreat
The glories of ancient Athens are well known. From the ubiquitous photograph of the Parthenon high upon the Acropolis overlooking the city to the writings o Plato and Socrates, ancient Athens has permeated our modern lives. In fact, man foundations of our modern world have their roots in Athens, the birthplace o democracy and philosophy. Athens was a city of orators, whose convincin arguments would sway the voting populace, made up of male citizens, to chang argument into policy. Perhaps Athens is so important because it gave a voice t the individual; that is, if you were qualified to speak. The transfer of powe from the elite to the masses, a social phenomenon that first flourished i Athens, would revolutionize the governing structures of the world for the nex two thousand years. In a way, we are all Athenians. Just looking at architectur of our nation’s capital proves the lasting impact this ancient city continue to have today.
How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or purse? What eras an lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reac into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of wh might have touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to afte it leaves our hands. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state tha struck them, of a specific time and location, whether contemporary currencies o artifacts of long forgotten empires. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals a expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lackin in contemporary machine-made currencies. The helmeted head of Athena, warrio Goddess of wisdom, graces the obverse of this coin. She was the mythic protecto of Athens and the source of the city’s name. Her attribute was the owl,
depicted on the reverse of the coin, an animal also associated with wisdom,
perhaps through its relation with the Goddess. This magnificent coin is memorial to the ancient glories of Athens passed down from the hands o civilization to civilization, from generation to generation.