Attica, Athens. Ca. 440-404 BC. Silver Tetradrachm (17.20 g). Helmeted head of Athena right, frontal eye. Reverse: AΘE, owl standing right, head facing; above to left, olive-spray with berry and crescent; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Svoronos pl. 14; SNG Copenhagen 31-40. Sharply struck in high relief and perfectly centered. A superb, intensely lustrous specimen. NGC graded Mint State, Strike: 5/5, Surface; 3/5. Value $1,500 - UP
A gem example among the vast number of Athenian "owl" tetradrachms struck in the fifth century BC. The Athenian "owls" were produced from silver from the Laurion mines of Attica and used to fund such major enterprises as the Periklean building program, which served to beautify Athens as the capital of a naval empire along with the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC) that broke out The "owls" were widely accepted in international trade and their types became a symbol of good money. Therefore, the types remained unaltered until the introduction of the Athenian New Style coinage in circa 165 BC.
"Parliament Collection" on NGC holder.