Bowdoin College Museum of Art | - Tetradrachm of Athens

Preview image of work. silver, Tetradrachm of Athens 1258

1914.6.12

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Tetradrachm of Athens

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Artist

Artist Unidentified

Title

Tetradrachm of Athens

Creation Date

ca. 125 BCE

Century

2nd century BCE

Object Type

coin

Creation Place

Ancient Mediterranean, Greece

Medium and Support

silver

Credit Line

Gift of Edward Perry Warren, Esq., Honorary Degree, 1926

Copyright

This artwork may be under copyright. For further information, please consult the Museum’s Copyright Terms and Conditions.

Accession Number

1914.6.12

The tetradrachm, or four-drachmai coin, was the principal denomination for the Athenians. Made of high-quality silver from mines in Attica, Athenian coins were carefully assayed to insure their value. The obverse, or head, of the coin was decorated with the helmeted head of Athena in high relief. The reverse, or tail, of the tetradrachm is dominated by the image of an owl, the signature bird of Athena and still a symbol for one of the goddess’s realms, wisdom. On account of their distinctive appearance and quality, Athenian tetradrachms became one of the most widely recognized currencies in the ancient Mediterranean. With elaborate designs on both sides of the coin, Athenian coinage was among the first to exhibit “heads and tails”.

Additional Media

Keywords: Greek