Ancient Greek Coins - New Style Athens Tetradrachm

Coinweek - Athens was once immensely powerful and independent, but its invincibility was ultimately disproved. It was conquered first by Sparta, then by Macedonia, and eventually by Rome. Athens' value was well understood, and it was allowed to remain a wealthy city and cradle of culture but was no longer a discrete power.



The earlier "Owl" tetradrachms were the dominant international trade coinage for over three centuries, but as Athens changed hands, their coinage eventually changed as well, moving away from the archaic coins into a new stylized tetradrachm which carried over artistic elements from its predecessor.

These new coins were produced on a large scale likely due to an influx in demand from Athens' improving economy after it recovered the port of Delos in 166 BC. The new coinage didn't become quite as ubiquitous as the early tetradrachms, but they have still been found throughout the Mediterranean and certainly circulated internationally.

Read the Entire Article