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Coin Jewelry :
Greek Coin Rings : Athenian Silver Tetradrachm
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Athenian Silver Tetradrachm - FJ.4667
Origin: Greece
Circa: 490
BC
to 322
BC
Collection: Coin Jewelry
Medium: Silver-Gold
£4,600.00
Location: UAE
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| Description |
During the height of the classical world, no other
Greek state rivaled Athens for power, wealth and
beauty. The legacy of the Athenian golden age is
still found in the institution of democracy, in
drama and the arts and in the architectural
wonders on the acropolis. This splendid silver
tetradrachm evokes the glory and grandeur of
that unique world. On the front of the coin
appears the dramatic image of a helmeted
Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom
and war. Athena was the daughter of Zeus, king
of the gods. According to myth, her father was
suffering from an enormous headache and
summoned Hephaistion the blacksmith god to
split open his head and relieve the pain. When
Hephaistion brought his hammer down on Zeus
skull, Athena jumped forth fully grown and
wearing a suit of armor. Although important to
all the Greek people, Athena’s chief cult was at
Athens, the city named for her. Legend has it
that she had a contest with Poseidon, god of the
sea, for control of the town. It was decided that
whichever god gave the most valuable gift to the
city would become its patron. Poseidon struck
the earth with his trident and a salt spring came
forth Athena produced the olive tree, source of
ancient Athens greatest commercial wealth, and
thereby won the contest. The scenes of her birth
and the contest were portrayed on the
pediments of the Parthenon, the temple erected
in her honor on the acropolis of Athens in the
5th century B.C. On the reverse side of this
Athenian coin an owl appears, the ancient
symbol of wisdom--one that often accompanies
the portrayal of the revered goddess of wisdom,
Athena. Framed by a regal gold ring setting, one
that befits such an important coin, this radiant
work of art truly evidences the glory of ancient
Athens, a city that continues to cast its spell
upon our senses.
- (FJ.4667)
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