If you’re looking to get your hands on one of the greatest ancient coins of all time, Athenian Silver Owl Tetradrachms just might be the perfect way to go. Struck around 440 B.C., these coins are nearly 2,500 years old.

What better way to get your hands on a piece of history than by utilizing the services of Austin Rare Coins? A leader in the industry for nearly three decades, we’ve helped countless people with over $1 billion in trusted transactions. We also hold an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and there is nothing we’d love more than to help you find the right coins whether you’re a new collector or you’ve been at it for years.

Some of the most popular and desirable coins in the ancient coin market today, Attica Silver Owls represent something truly unique. But what makes them so special, you ask? We’ll be sharing that information below, so keep reading to learn more.

A Coin Forged in the Heart of Western Civilization

One of the most famous of all ancient silver coins, Athenian Silver Owls are well regarded because of their unique beauty. Preserved in an impressive high relief with remarkable detail, these coins represent a top value on the ancient coin market and they come very highly recommended at current levels.

An impressive piece of human history, Athenian Silver Tetradrachms have been ranked #10 recently in the book 100 Greatest Ancient coins and many consider them to be a testament to the prosperity and the pride of Ancient Greece. Containing over a half ounce of pure silver, you’ll find these coins to be impressive to look at as well as hefty to hold. Found in nearly every marketplace in the Mediterranean and beyond, the depict the helmeted head of Athena, the goddess of wisdom. On the reverse, you’ll see an owl, the totem animal of the city, under a crescent moon and an olive branch. To the right, the letters “AOE” are shown, representing the first three letters of the city’s name.

We are pleased to offer a number of these coins in various grades and prices, so don’t hesitate to contact us because we’d be glad to help you find the exact coin you’re looking for. We know that the prospect of ordering coins online can be challenging to some, but rest assured that the team at Austin Rare Coins will go above and beyond to help ensure that you get just what you’re looking for the first time around. With a dedication to exceptional customer service, there’s nothing we’d love more than to provide you with the perfect coin to add to your collection. Serving investors and collectors alike since 1989, we pride ourselves on helping our clients to find the perfect coin, and these Silver Owls are no exception.

Learn More About Athena

The goddess of courage, inspiration, math, crafts, strategy, and skill in addition to the aforementioned wisdom, Athena was also the goddess of war who is said to have been born directly from the forehead of her father Zeus, already grown to full size and wearing armor. As her name implies, she was also considered to be the protector of Athens (as well as a number of other cities in Ancient Greece).

A unique figure, there are plenty of myths surrounding Athena that paint her to be one of the more interesting goddesses. Britannica notes that “being the favourite child of Zeus, she had great power” and that in The Iliad, her “moral and military superiority to Ares derived in part from the fact that she represented the intellectual and civilized side of war and the virtues of justice and skill, whereas Ares represented mere bloodlust.” In other words, her reputation for wisdom is one that is said to have been well-earned.

As protector of the Ancient Greek city of Athens, Athena is said to have also become a master artisan, something for which her city became known. Tradesmen and merchants played a large part in the economy of this city and everyone from sculptors to painters to jewelers became known for the artisan qualities of their works, many of which are still admired to this day. Britannica even mentions that “Athena became the goddess of crafts and skilled peacetime pursuits in general [and] she was particularly known as the patroness of spinning and weaving,” going so far as to compete with Arachne, whom she eventually turned into the first spider, according to legend.

According to Wikipedia, “In Homer's epic works, Athena's most common epithet is Glaukopis (γλαυκῶπις), which usually is translated as, "bright-eyed" or "with gleaming eyes" with the common understanding being that her eyes were silvery, gray, or sometimes a combination of blue and green, always being the focus of her face. They also note that “the word glaúx (γλαύξ,] ‘little owl’) is from the same root, presumably according to some, because of the bird's own distinctive eyes” and that “Athena was clearly associated with the owl from very early on [because] in archaic images, she is frequently depicted with an owl perched on her hand." This led to the owl becoming her mascot, and as you can probably guess, it also led to the owl also being considered a wise creature.

For further reading on the story and feats of Athena, our recommendation is to read Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey to gain further insight.

Order Your Own Athenian Silver Owl Tetradrachm Today

Available in grades of Extremely Fine, About Uncirculated, Choice About Uncirculated, and Mint State, Austin Rare Coins is proud to offer these Athenian Silver Owls to buyers. Highly recommended at current levels, these coins are sure to hold a treasured place in the home of any collector or investor thanks to their unique appeal and beautiful looks. Trust us when we say that holding one of these coins in your hands is an experience like no other.

Whether you’re a collector who has been after one of these coins for many years and you’ve decided that this is the perfect time to buy thanks to their low price or you are simply struck by the unique beauty and incredible history behind this Ancient Greek coin, you can rest assured that our team will take great care of you during your buying process. We are proud to offer the best bullion prices anywhere as well as a number of exclusive U.S. rare coins and certified ancient coins. In other words, no matter what your goals are when it comes to coins, our team would love the opportunity to be a part of your process.

If you’ve worked with us before, then you know that our reputation is built on trust; if you haven’t, we’d invite you to put us to the test. We know that there is a demand for reliable information and customer service that is personalized to the buyer’s unique experience and that’s what you can expect from us at every step of the way. Our principals are members of the American Numismatic Association and the Texas Numismatic Association and you can count on us to be fair and honest. Have a question? We would love to hear from you! Contact us today.