Known as "owls" for their distinctive designs from Athens and the nearby silver mines, they were the premier method of payment in Greece. This example was gotten from a private mint, and has the Goddess of Wisdom on one side, and her symbol, the owl, on the other.
Around 500 BC Athens had great wealth and prestige. They had great people of all kinds flock there to share their abilities. Sophocles the playwright. Plato and Socrates the philosophers. Phidias the architect sculptor behind the Acropolis. Herodotus the historian. The list is long and the effects of their works far beyond Greece. Silver coins of all kinds were made to honor them all.
My coin was procured from the Bradford Exchange Mint. They have good fair prices and get all kinds of coins. For the serious collector, they are a must have. I can only say good things about them.
My silver coin is bigger than a us nickel, smaller than a us quarter. It is thick. I will be hoping to find the collection value soon. Have just started looking. The fact that is came from 500 BC to 700 BC helps to narrow it down. There were many coins, but over time you know they become less and less.
It is another way to go to grow your collection. Silver is a good metal for collecting. Many can afford it, unlike Gold or Platinum that require premium resources.
Bradford Exchange has this coin listed as an Athens Tetradrachm from 440 BC.
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