Tetradrachm: Head of Athena (obverse); Owl (Cleveland Museum of Art 1916.992)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
449–407 BCE
Incorporating the first three letters of the city name—ΑΘΕ—with then-iconic images of the patron goddess Athena and her owl, the Athenian tetradrachm was among the most widely traded and most recognizable coins of the ancient world. The olive leaves on Athena’s helmet and the small crescent moon behind the owl date this coin after the Persian Wars. Cleveland Museum of Art object 1916.992: Tetradrachm: Head of Athena (obverse); Owl (reverse), 449–407 BCE. Greek, minted at Athens (Attica). Silver; diameter: 2.3 cm (7/8 in.). Inscribed: ΑΘΕ (ATHE, indicates that this coin is from Athens). Details are those of this museum object; how far it represents a wider type has not been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 3
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
The basic design of Athenian tetradrachms is now back in use, on Greek one-Euro coins.
Physical characteristics
- Materials
- silver
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 2.3 cm (7/8 in.)
- Measurements
- Diameter: 2.3 cm (7/8 in.)
- Material and technique
- silver
Design
- Inscription
- ΑΘΕ (ATHE, indicates that this coin is from Athens)
Identification
- Date recorded
- 449–407 BCE
- Culture period
- Greek, minted at Athens (Attica)
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Museum object number
- 1916.992
- Museum classification
- Coins
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Research required
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: this record describes a single museum object; confirm the wider coin type and standard catalogue references (e.g. SNG, RPC, RIC) against numismatic literature.