Collection Item – Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

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Coin, silver tetradrachm, Egypt; Early to mid Fourth Century BC; 202.06.2

From:UC Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

Name/TitleCoin, silver tetradrachm, Egypt

About this objectThis tetradrachm, worth the equivalent of four drachmas, can possibly be recognised as an Egyptian imitation of the standard Greek 'owl' coin. (See, for example, JLMC 181.97 for an authentic tetradrachm owl coin).

Like traditional owl coins, the reverse side shows an owl with the inscription “ATHE”, standing for “of the Athenians”, and the obverse side depicts the head of Athena, patron goddess of Athens. But slight differences in detailing around Athena’s eye and hair suggest that this might not be a genuine Athenian coin.

Athenian owl coins were accepted currency all around the ancient world. Many have been found around the Mediterranean from ancient times. However, when the Peloponnesian War – a brutal war between Athens and Sparta that lasted over 20 years – caused a shortage of Athenian coins, other major centres such as Egypt and Syria began to produce their own copies of Athenian owl coins. It appears that such copies were largely accepted around the Mediterranean and were probably circulated as far and wide as genuine owl coins.

Date MadeEarly to mid Fourth Century BC

PeriodClassical

Place MadeEgypt

Medium and MaterialsMetal; Silver

Inscription and MarksΑΘΕ (ATHE) inscription appears on reverse side to left of the owl

TechniqueStriking (metalworking)

TechniqueInscriptions

MeasurementsWeight 16.66g
Diameter ca. 25mm

Subject and Association KeywordsAnimals in art

Subject and Association KeywordsGoddesses in art

Subject and Association KeywordsInscriptions, Greek

Named CollectionThe James Logie Memorial Collection, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Credit LineDonated by Rosemary Tredgold, in thanks to Kate and Sam Adshead, 2006

Object TypeExchange Media

Object number202.06.2