The coin is a tetradrachm, meaning that it was worth four drachmas; one drachma, in turn, was worth six obols. It is a high value coin representing, in the mid-fifth century BC, four days’ pay for a skilled labourer or for a hoplite soldier, or two days’ pay for a sculptor working on a public building.
What is a tetradrachm coin?
: an ancient Greek silver coin worth four drachmas.
What was the common term for the Athenian Tetradrachm?
According to Philochorus, it was known as glaux (γλαύξ, ‘little owl’) throughout the ancient world and “owl” in present-day English language numismatics.
What is an old Greek coin called?
drachma
drachma, silver coin of ancient Greece, dating from about the mid-6th century bc, and the former monetary unit of modern Greece. The drachma was one of the world’s earliest coins. Its name derives from the Greek verb meaning “to grasp,” and its original value was equivalent to that of a handful of arrows.
What could a tetradrachm buy?
A large silver coin – a tetradrachm would buy luxuries such as jewellery, horses or weapons. It was worth four times a man’s daily wage.
How is Alexander depicted on the coin?
Alexander, responsible for establishing the conventions of royal portraiture, is depicted in his preferred manner: youthful and clean-shaven, with long locks of hair rising above his forehead and eyes cast upward. Additionally, he is shown with horns curling around his ears.
What is a tetradrachm made of?
Made of gold, silver, bronze, and electrum (a gold-silver alloy), coins were literally worth their weight, but their value varied according to the percentage of their precious metal content. Occasionally a city needed more money than it had in reserves.
What is the meaning of Athens?
Definitions of Athens. the capital and largest city of Greece; named after Athena (its patron goddess) “in the 5th century BC ancient Athens was the world’s most powerful and civilized city” synonyms: Athinai, Greek capital, capital of Greece. example of: national capital.
Who is Athenians?
The Athenians were residents of the ancient city-state of Greece, Athens, in around the 5th century BC. In contrast. the Spartans of Sparta were a war-like peopls, the Athenians were dedicated to excellence, artistry, and knowledge. These people valued individual freedom and established the first democracy.
Are old Greek coins worth anything?
Today ancient Greek coins are also numismatic coins. This means that they are worth more than the value of their precious metal and are therefore valuable collectibles. Their added value is mainly a result of their ancient history and rarity.
Why is Alexander depicted with horns?
Additionally, he is shown with horns curling around his ears. These “horns of Ammon” symbolize Alexander’s claim that he was the son of the Egyptian god Ammon—a claim reportedly confirmed by the oracle at the sanctuary of Zeus-Ammon at Siwa, Egypt.
Why is Athena on the Athenian tetradrachm?
So, it was a logical idea to place her on the coins of Athens since Greek cities referred to themselves using coins. The Athenian tetradrachm was the first successful international coins. They were minted from 510 BCE until at least 42 BCE when the Romans stopped minting the Athenian coins and replaced them for their own denarii.
What is the new style tetradrachm?
The New Style tetradrachm lists magistrates that may be connected to more specific dates. The coin above is attributed: “ATTICA Athens (Circa 168/5 – 50 BCE) AR, Tetradrachm, Head of Athena right, wearing triple crested Attic helmet decorated with Pegasos springing right.
What is the difference between classical and archaic tetradrachm?
Classical Type Tetradrachm: Starting in 478 BCE, the Classical type was minted until 393 BCE. These coins were minted in extreme numbers. But their style is a real piece of art. They have more details and more life in them compared with archaic types.
What happened to the Athenian ‘owl tetradrachms’?
This certainly holds true for ancient coins. During the closing months of 2018, a large influx of Athenian ‘Owl’ tetradrachms (perhaps 30,000 specimens, speculated to have been found in Turkey) began to enter the market and prices have fallen sharply.
