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605 Athens tetradrachm, Athena & Wise Owl, silver coin of Athens (Greek Jewelry Shop) View larger
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605 Athens tetradrachm, Athena & Wise Owl Greek silver coin pendant

605

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Athena Tetradrachm originally minted 431-413 BC and depicting the wise owl.

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Data sheet

Article group Pendants
Gender For Him or Her
Depiction Athena & Wise Owl
Historic Period Era: Classical
Material Solid Sterling Silver
Length (top to bottom including bails or hooks) 31 mm (1 and 7/32in)
Diameter (excluding bails) 22 mm (55⁄64in)
Weight 8.5 grams

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The inscription reads ΑΘΕ, a monogram attributed to the goddess Athena (ΑΘΗΝΑ), the virgin goddess of wisdom, who was also the protectress of the city of Athens. Head of Athena right, wearing round earring and crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl. Almond shaped almond eye as in archaic depictions of the goddess.

Above with matching ring Owl of Wisdom ring #185 (not included)

 

    The illuminating and yet detached glare of Athena's owl, a sacred symbol in ancient Greece have been magnificently captured and portrayed by skilled craftsmen, specialized and distinguished in crafting reproductions representations of significant ancient, historical and religious artifacts and themes.

 

 The symbolism of Athena's Owl

    The significance of the owl was the virtue of Wisdom.The owl was usually depicted accompanying Athena (Roman Minerva), the all important virgin Godess to whom perhaps the most significant shrine of classical antiquity, the Parthenon, was built in honor of. Her worship peaked during the golden age of Pericles 461 BC to 379 BC. It was during this inspiring age of wisdom that philosophy, architecture, medicine, theatre and the arts were first established as  fabric to society to set grounds to an array of social fundaments as they are today, whilst the radical concept of 'democracy' was also first fostered.
 

 The all knowing, never sleeping wise owl, inspired this progress and thereon became the embodiment of the creative wisdom of man, able to generate civilization in physical and spiritual realms. In tribute, it was depicted on various denominations of the tetradrachm in the 5th Century BC to reach every part of the known world and spread its important meaning. Today, more than 2 millenia later, this owl still has it's honorary place on the Greek 1 Euro coin.

owl coin tetradrachm greekgreek 1 euro coin