Athens, Attica AR Tetradrachm 454–404 BC Athena & Owl Old Style

Athens, Attica, Tetradrachm, silver, 454–404 BC, 17.15 g, 24 mm. Obv: Anepigraphic; head of Athena right, wearing crested Attic helmet adorned with three olive leaves and palmette; earring and bead necklace visible. Rev: ΑΘΕ; owl standing right, head facing; olive sprig and crescent in left field; all within an incuse square. Struck at Athens during the classical “old style” mass issue on a thick flan with the characteristic incuse reverse. References: SNG Copenhagen 31; Sear Greek 2526; HGC 4, 1597. Issued after the adoption of the Attic standard across the Athenian Empire, these tetradrachms became the principal trade currency of the eastern Mediterranean. Struck in vast quantities from the silver of Laurion and the allied tribute moved from Delos to Athens in 454 BC, they financed Athenian civic projects and the Peloponnesian War and served as a widely recognized guarantee of weight and fineness.