Greek Silver Drachma Athena and Owl
Athena and the owl decorate the replica coin, made from lead free pewter with antique patina. The ancient drachma was actually a weight and unit made of silver. Coins at that time were rarely made out of copper or gold. The first coins show animal pictures. These were usually part of the coat of arms of the cities and go back to the 6th century BC.
- Coin diameter: 2 cm
- Coin replica made from lead free pewter with antique patina
Athena and the owl
With this authentic material in the hands of students, they will become more attentive to your teaching and the other course material. It also makes explaining Greek mythology easier. Here they can see in their hands the owl with on the front Athena.
The Greek goddess Athena, which gave the name to the ancient capital and the mythological horse with wings are depicted on it. Athena, the ancient goddess, was the female deity of wisdom, strategy and of struggle, art and crafts. In Athens we find the Parthenon which was the Temple of the city goddess Pallas Athena Parthenos.
There were once several statues of Athena from the hand of the sculptor of Phidias. The largest statue embodied the Athena Promachos (the "forward fighting Athena") in full armour, hence, she was also believed to be a fighting deity.
Carry owls to Athens?
An OWL is depicted on the rear side of this ancient Greek coin. Reminiscent of the saying "Carry owls to Athens?” This saying, along with the haptic experience of an ancient coin replica, the in the history lesson becomes alive: Students will discover that owls were omnipresent in Athens, as this was the most common currency, available in many hands on the market. The saying goes back to the ancient Greek poet of Aristophanes who coined this phrase in his satirical comedy "The birds" around 400 BC. There is an OWL flying up with the words, "Who brought the OWL to Athens?".
Athena and the Owl
The combination of the two hint at the saying or vice versa. The Owl symbolized wisdom (such as the Athena also), as it can see in the dark. Not to being owls into a city could have meant, why would one bring owls into the city of Athena who is already a city of learnedness. Yet, as stated above, it may simply have been a joke about bringing owls in a city that was so commercially driven, hence full of owls. Why not also discuss with your students the value of a currency, or the questions whether the Pound should or should not join the European currency.
Antique lovers: Coin with OWL and Athena
The wonderful symbolic coin of the replica is of course a Greek Drachma, and it will be a delight for each friend of Hellenistic culture, a real must! As a gift to yourself or to a friend, the exceptional replica is a treasure!
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