Owl Tetradrachm
5th century BC (Classical period) ・ silver ・ 5th century BC ・ Athens
Head of Athena and an owl, and the inscription ΑΘΕ—of the Athenians. The owl silver coins were colloquially called "glaukes" (owls), and Aristophanes quipped in 'The Birds', "The owls of Laureion will never desert you." Throughout the 5th century BC, the design was intentionally kept archaic. This conservatism was to maintain its recognition as an international currency. This particular piece is from the former Delpierre collection at the Bibliothèque nationale de France, with its obverse and reverse photographed separately.