Tetradrachm (Coin) Depicting the Goddess Athena

Arts of the Ancient Mediterranean and Byzantium

before 490 BCE

Greek, minted in Athens

The front (obverse) of this coin depicts the goddess Athena, facing right.
On the back (reverse), an owl stands facing right, its wings folded against its body which is detailed with dots and fine lines indicating the different types of feathers. In the upper right an olive branch with two long leaves is shown.

Status: Currently Off View
Department: Arts of the Ancient Mediterranean and Byzantium

Culture: Ancient Greek
Title: Tetradrachm (Coin) Depicting the Goddess Athena
Place: Greater Athens (Minted in)
Date: 490 BCE
Medium: Silver
Inscriptions: Reverse: AOE
Dimensions: Diam.: 2.2 cm (7/8 in.)
Credit Line: Gift of William F. Dunham
Reference Number: 1920.697
IIIF Manifest The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world. Learn more.: https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/141480/manifest.json

William F. Dunham (1857-1936), Chicago; given to the Art Institute of Chicago, 1920.

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

Suggested Terms