Greece, Attica, Athens, Tetradrachm ca. 311-300 BC, Babylon I

Athenian Tetradrachms were among the most widespread and popular coin types of antiquity. They were readily accepted throughout the entire Mediterranean area, and even far beyond. They were popular thanks to their well-known long-term stability of the fineness of silver, their full weight and their gigantic minting volume. They have been minted tens of millions of times and were also imitated by various cultures. Athenian Tetradrachms became the preferred international trading currency. For this purpose, a motif was chosen that recurred over many decades. Athena and the owl is certainly the best known and most influential of all ancient Greek coins.

Athena, her owl and the olive branch tell the legend of how Athena became the patron goddess of Athens. Poseidon and Athena competed against each other on the Acropolis for the right to become the city's patron god. Poseidon struck a rock with his trident, causing a spring to burst forth. But people didn't like it much because the water was salty. Athena then knelt and planted a seed in the ground. In a few moments, a fully grown olive tree sprouted. The tree was a great source of wood, and the olives were nutritious and could also be processed into oil that could be used in many ways. The people were delighted and declared Athena the victor and patron goddess of the city, which was to be called Athens from then on.