1. Tetradrachma
2. Tetradrachm Owl
3. Tetradrachm Susa

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• Tetradrachm

  Unknown4.4 cm (1 3/4 in.)80.NH.151.6

• An ancient Greek currency unit issued by many Greek city states during a period of ten centuries, from the Archaic period throughout the Classical period, the Hellenistic period up to the Roman period under Greek Imperial Coinage.
• The Athenian Owl tetradrachm is arguably the most popular and recognized ancient coin. It represented about a week’s pay for ancient Greek soldiers. It is said that President Teddy Roosevelt.

Athens Silver Tetradrachm, Owl Late Style. $450.00 440-404 B.C. Athenian Owl Silver Tetradrachm. $1,275.00 400-350 B.C. Thrace Maroneia Bronze Horse.

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Tetradrachm

Unknown

Greek

Athens, Greece (Place Created)

182–181 B.C.

Silver

80.NH.151.6

4.4 cm (1 3/4 in.)

Gift of Morton Scribner, M.D.

Object Description

This four-drachma coin (also known as a tetradrachm) features the helmeted head of the Greek goddess Athena on one side and her symbolic bird, the owl, on the other. Beginning from about 520-510 B.C., Athena and her owl were depicted on Athenian coins because she was the patron goddess of the city. As a result, these coins have been nicknamed 'owls.' The olive wreath surrounding the owl and the small sideways amphora (storage vessel) on which the bird stands identify this coin as belonging to a series that began to be minted in 196‑195 B.C. The olive wreath and the amphora are emblems of the principal agricultural products of Athens, olives and olive oil.

Two Greek words appear on the back. 'Athe,' which stands for Athens, is on the same level as the owl's eyes. Written below that is the name of an Athenian magistrate, 'Ammodio,' whose service in government dates to 182‑181 B.C. A tiny image of a container appears to the owl's left; its precise significance is unknown.

Tetradrachma

Provenance

Provenance

Morton Scribner, M.D. (Arcadia, California), donated to the J. Paul Getty Museum, 1980.

Exhibitions

Exhibitions

Devices of Wonder: From the World in a Box to Images on a Screen (November 13, 2001 to February 3, 2002)

• The J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center (Los Angeles), November 13, 2001 to February 3, 2002

Bibliography

Bibliography

Edwards, Nina. Darkness: a Cultural History. (London: Reaktion Books, 2018), p. 253, ill.

Edwards, Nina. Darkness: A Cultural History (London: Reaktion Books, 2018), p. 253, ill.

Education Resources

Education Resources

Tetradrachm Owl

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Tetradrachm Susa

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