Tag Archives: athenian coin

There is something undeniably tantalising about ancient coins to those who love history. While we have hundreds of artefacts from the ancient world, few provide us with such a connection to the people who once owned them, as coins do. It’s almost impossible to hold a coin which is over 2,500 years old and not imagine all the hands it’s passed through, and all the history it holds. Few other objects provide such insight into social history. In our upcoming Monies, Medals & Militaria auction our numismatics specialist, Sally Oliver, has curated a stunning selection of coins, many of which are from ancient civilisations. Ancient Coins: Greek Currency Coins first began to circulate in ancient Greece during the 7th century BC, gradually replacing earlier forms of currency. Among the most common were the drachma and tetradrachm, which served as the primary means of exchange across city-states. Each polis minted its own currency. This resulted in a rich diversity of designs that reflected local identities and values. For instance, coins from Knossos, an ancient Minoan city, often featured imagery of the Minotaur, a mythological creature central to their culture and mythology. In contrast, coins from Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, frequently depicted Nike, the goddess of victory, symbolising the city’s athletic achievements. Athens, the capital of the Greek world, depicted the goddess Athena alongside her owl on their coins. Unlike modern coins, ancient coins would’ve been minted by hand. The design for the coin would’ve been carved into a block of bronze, the blank disk then would have been placed in the mould before being struck with a hammer. Athena and Athens The association between Athena and Athens is deeply rooted in ancient mythology, with various accounts detailing how the city came to be named after the goddess and why she became its patron deity. The origin myth is recorded in many ancient sources including Apollodorus, Plutarch, Ovid, and Herodotus. According to Greek mythology, the city’s name was bestowed upon it by Athena herself during a contest with Poseidon, the god of the sea, for the city’s patronage. The myth as such: Athena and Poseidon both desired to be the city’s patron deity when Athens was still a young city-state. They competed to see who could offer the city the most valuable gift. Poseidon struck the ground with his trident, creating a saltwater spring. But as it was not freshwater, it was not very useful to the citizens. Athena, on the other hand, planted an olive tree, a symbol of peace and wisdom. The citizens of Athens, impressed by Athena’s gift, chose her as their patron deity and named the city in her honour. Over time, Athena became one of the most revered deities in Athens, with temples and statues erected in her honour throughout the city, including the famous Parthenon. The image of Athena often depicted with her iconic owl, symbolising wisdom, became synonymous with the identity of Athens. As such, Athena and her owl frequently appear throughout the iconography of the city – particularly on their coins. Ancient Athenian Coins at Auction Lot 1 Ancient Greece. Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Price Realised: £533.00 Lot 2 Ancient Greece. Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Estimate: £350 – £450 Monies, Medals & Militaria | Thursday 29th February 2024 Viewing times (ID required): London 20 February 2024 10.00-16.00 21 February 2024 10.00-16.00 Birmingham 28 February 2024 10:00-16:00 Virtual viewings are available by request. Virtual viewings are the ultimate personal shopping experience. Using Zoom, you can ask us whatever you need to know in order to buy with confidence. Find out more here. Valuations Our valuations are free, with no obligation to sell with us. Our experts will value your item with an estimate, so you can find out what it could achieve at auction. The process is simple. You can fill in a form online or book an appointment to visit either of our offices in Birmingham or London. Virtual valuation appointments are also available. Find what you’re looking for Make sure you don’t miss finding that special something by signing up to our email alerts. You’ll be the first to know when catalogues become available, receive invitations to special events and preview the hottest lots from our auctions, plus much more. Why not use our free personal shopping service? Sign up for lot alerts and tell us exactly what you are looking for. Each time we upload a catalogue, we search for your keywords and email you lots matching your interests. Your personalised email will include images, lot descriptions and auction details. Cordelia Porter | Research Coordinator