The Coinage of Ancient Athens

These are some of the coins of Athens. Click on thumbnail image for coin enlargement.  The names are also linked to the coins if you would like a "pop-up window".    Some coins are enlarged and enhanced where noted to present a better image for detail and study.

These coins are not for sale.

    For the references, see reference page.

 

R. = Right

stand. = standing

L. = Left

Legends in Light Blue

AR= Silver

AE= Bronze

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Athens, Attica of the style of 449-413 BCE AR Tetradrachm Modern Copy Obverse: Head of Athena R. in Crested Helmet (Archaic Eye) Reverse: Owl stand. R., olive sprig and crescent moon behind. AQE SNG COP 31 449-413 Offered for comparison only. Was sold to me as copy but not marked as such.

Athens, Attica 450-404 BCE AR Drachm 4.0 gr. Obverse: Head of Athena R. in Crested Helmet Reverse: Owl stand. R. Olive Sprig behind - No Crescent Moon AQE SG 2527 SNG COP. 41 after 449 BCE. Svor. 11.20

Athens, Attica cir. 425 BCE AR Tetradrachm (Old Style) 17.09 gr. Obverse: Head of Athens R. in Crested Helmet (Archaic Eye) Reverse: Owl stand R. Olive spring and Crescent Moon behind AQE Svor.12.22

Judaen Imitation of Athenian Style Obol 4th Cent. BCE Obverse: Head of Athena R. in Crested Helmet. Reverse: Owl R. Olive Branch L. AQ [E] R. Traces of something below olive branch. ANS 15-19.

Athens, Attica 393 BCE -1980AD AR 1.6gr. FAKE Obverse: Helmeted head of Athena R. Reverse: Owl in incuse, olive leaves, crescent L. Offered for comparison only. Weight on this piece is too far between diobol and triobol to be considered either one. Also shows signs of air bubbles on side (cast?). Seems to be silver. Dating is uncertain, could be ancient copy or modern fake. Sold to me as a real piece.

Athens, Attica (Olynthos?) 363-359 BCE AE Double Unit 1.14gr. Obverse: Athena Facing L. Reverse: Owl on wheat ear, pellet each side, all within wreath. No visible legend. Svor. 22.93-96 - AA35 - Lin. A119A This Coin Possible reference to emergency issue by Timotheos during siege of Olynthos Cir. 360's BCE.

Athens, Attica 307-300 BCE A15 Obverse: Head of Athena R. in Corinthian Helmet. Reverse: Inscription vague, Owl L., head facing all in wreath. Svor. 22.85-88 (87) - Lin. 1536 this coin - AA50

Athens, Attica 297-255 BCE AE15 Obverse: Head Athena R. in Corinthian Helmet Reverse: Owl, wings closed, facing R. Svor. 22.62-63 AA58c

Athens, Attica 284-270 BCE AE12 Obverse: Athena R. in crested Corinthian Helmet. Reverse: Owl facing R., wings closed, in wheat wreath, 2 ears wheat above, A/Q in fields L. & R. Svor. 22. 66-70 - AA53c

Athens, Attica 284-270 BCE AE12 Obverse: Head Athena R. in crested Corinthian helmet Reverse: Owl standing R., head facing, wings closed, A in field L., Q in field R., all within all within olive wreath Svor. 22.71 AA54b

Athens, Attica 224-198 BCE AE22 Obverse: Head of Athens R. wearing crested Athenian helmet ornamented with floral scroll and three olive leaves Reverse: Owl standing R. Head facing, wings spread, amphora in field R. Q L./ A above/ E R. Svor. 24.10-17 AA69 Lindgren 1538 this coin - Ex. Collection

Athens, Attica 198 BCE AE14 Obverse: Head of Athena R. wearing Attic Helmet with wing. Reverse: Q L. / A above/ E R. Owl standing L. head facing, Amphora L., all within olive wreath. Svor. 22.89-92 AA77 Agora states this is a rare issue, connected by the amphora to another issue of this time which were probably struck in conjunction with a celebration f the Greater Panathenaia, held for the first time in 198 BCE after the alliance with Rome.

Athens, Attica 159/8 (July - August 159 BCE) AR Tetradrachm (New Style) 16.35 gr. Obverse: Head of Athena R. in Double Crested helmet. Reverse: Owl standing facing on Amphora, all in wreath. Cicada in left field. B on amphora. A-QE LY-SAN GLAY-KOS NIKWN ME below Amphora - Th. 432/431b.

Athens, Attica Cir 140's BCE AE18 Obverse: Head of Zeus R. bound with Taenia, border of dots. Reverse: Archaistic Athena striding R. hurling Thunderbolt in raised R. hand, holding shield on extended L. arm. A L. field above wheat ear. Q above E above snake in R. field. Svor 22.55, AA89 Lindgren 1534 plate coin. Athena same as Macedonian Athena Alkidamos of Antigonos Gonatas & Philip V - maybe reference to defeat of Macedonian Kingdom in 168 BCE.

Athens, Attica 130-90 BCE AE14 Obverse: Helmeted head of Athena Parthenos R. Reverse: Two owls standing facing on thunderbolt, all in wreath. AQE below thunderbolt Svor. 24.62-63 AA 99d-e. Lindgren 1542

Athens, Attica 99/98 BCE AE18 Obverse: Head of Athena R. in Corinthian helmet. Reverse: A L.- QE R. Zeus hurling Thunderbolt R. Pilei of Dioscuri either side below. Svor. 81.32-39 AA94 Lindgren 1550 The Zeus reverse is a rendering of the statue of Zeus Polias in Athens.

Athens, Attica 87/86 BCE AE18 Obverse: Head Athena R. in Corinthian helmet. Reverse: A over Q L. field / E over star between two crescents (mithradatic star) R. field. Zeus hurling thunderbolt Svor. 81.45-48 AA97f

Athens, Attica 87/86 BCE AE18 Obverse: Head Athena R. in Corinthian helmet. Reverse: A over Q L. field / E over star between two crescents (mithradatic star) R. field. Zeus hurling thunderbolt Svor. 81.47 AA97d

Athens, Attica mid 90's to early 80's BCE AE17 Obverse: Head Athena R. in Corinthian helmet. Reverse: A over mystic staff in L. field / E over Q L. field R. Zeus hurling thunderbolt Svor. 81.51 AA95

Athens, Attica 86-80 BCE AE22 Obverse: Wreathed head of Persephone R. (Kore) Reverse: Iakchos in short cloak, holding long torch, plemochoe R. A over Q L. field, E R. field Svor 25.11 Kroll 117, AA 117 Only 2 specimens noted by Svoronos and 2 specimens in Athenian Agora.

Athens, Attica 42/39 BCE AE19 Obverse: Head Athena Parthenos R. wearing triple-crested Athenian helmet Reverse: AQ [E] Pythian Tripod between poppyhead and thunderbolt Svor. 80.7 AA138 Lindgren L1546 this coin Ex. Lindgren Collection. Pythian tripod allusion to Anthony's proposed completion of temple of Pythian Apollo?

Athens, Attica 42/39 BCE AE19 Obverse: Head Athena Parthenos R. wearing triple-crested Athenian helmet Reverse: AQ [E] Pythian Tripod between poppyhead and thunderbolt Svor. 80.7 AA138

Athens, Attica 42-39 BCE AE20 Obverse: Gorgoneion head facing. Reverse: Athena Parthenos advancing R. A L. field/ QE R. field Svor 25.22-28 AA139