ATTICA. Athens.(151/0 BC). New Style Coinage.Tetradrachm.

EX BIGA.

Condition : The coin is in fair condition, with a well-preserved design. The patina is silver with areas of tarnish and oxidation, giving it a somewhat uneven appearance. The patina indicates age and exposure to environmental elements, with some minor surface wear visible. The overall detail is still clear, particularly in the central figures, although the edges have slight wear. This natural aging adds character and authenticity to the coin.Good very fine.

Material : Silver.
Axis : 12h

Weight : 17.02 gr
Diameter : 29 mm

The New Style coinage of Athens, particularly the Tetradrachm, represents one of the most iconic examples of ancient Greek currency. Issued during the Hellenistic period, starting around 165 BCE and continuing until the mid-1st century BCE, these coins were not only a reflection of Athens' economic power but also a symbol of its cultural and artistic achievements. The introduction of the New Style coinage followed the decline of Athens' classical coinage and was part of the city's efforts to reassert itself as a dominant financial hub in the eastern Mediterranean, despite its diminished political power following the rise of Macedon and Rome.

The New Style Tetradrachm was a silver coin, typically weighing around 16-17 grams, and it featured some of the most intricate and detailed designs of its time. The obverse side of the coin depicted the head of the goddess Athena, the patron deity of Athens. Athena was shown wearing a helmet adorned with a laurel wreath, symbolizing victory, and her iconic crested helmet often included motifs of griffins or Pegasuses, reflecting the city's mythological heritage. The depiction of Athena on these coins was a continuation of the tradition that dated back to the Classical period, reinforcing the city's link to its illustrious past.

The reverse side of the New Style Tetradrachm displayed an owl, the sacred bird of Athena and a symbol of wisdom. The owl was depicted standing on an amphora, a jar used for the storage and transport of goods, emphasizing Athens' role in trade and commerce. Surrounding the owl were olive leaves and the crescent moon, symbols of peace and prosperity, as well as a magistrate's name and various symbols or monograms that indicated the time and place of minting. The owl was also accompanied by the inscription "ΑΘΕ" (short for "Athens"), affirming the coin's origin.

One of the most distinctive features of the New Style coinage, compared to earlier Athenian coins, was its high level of detail and artistry. The engravings were more elaborate, with Athena’s features rendered in greater realism and the owl depicted with finer feathers and more dynamic poses. This enhanced level of artistry was likely influenced by the broader Hellenistic trend toward more lifelike and expressive art, as seen in sculpture and other forms of visual culture during the period.

The amphora on the reverse of the coin was often marked with letters or symbols that indicated the month of production or other administrative details. This system allowed scholars and historians to trace the production of these coins more accurately, revealing much about the organization and bureaucracy behind Athenian coinage during the Hellenistic period. The appearance of magistrates' names on the coins was another innovation of the New Style Tetradrachms. These magistrates were responsible for overseeing the minting process, and their names provided a record of civic officials, contributing to our understanding of Athenian political structures at the time.

The New Style Tetradrachms were minted at a time when Athens was no longer the military power it had been during the height of the Athenian Empire in the 5th century BCE. However, Athens remained an important cultural and intellectual center in the Hellenistic world. The city was home to renowned philosophical schools, such as the Academy founded by Plato and the Lyceum founded by Aristotle, and its reputation as a center of learning attracted scholars and students from across the Mediterranean.

Economically, Athens was a hub of trade, benefiting from its strategic location and its long-standing relationships with other Greek city-states, as well as Hellenistic kingdoms and the growing power of Rome. The New Style Tetradrachms reflected this economic prosperity. They were widely circulated throughout the eastern Mediterranean and beyond, and their high silver content made them a preferred currency for large transactions and international trade.

In addition to their role in commerce, the coins also served as a medium of Athenian self-representation. By continuing to feature Athena and the owl, symbols deeply tied to the city's identity, Athens reaffirmed its cultural and historical significance, even as its political influence waned. The use of high-quality silver and the intricate designs were a testament to the city's enduring wealth and artistic sophistication.

The production of New Style Tetradrachms declined in the late 1st century BCE, particularly after Athens was incorporated into the Roman Empire. By this time, Roman coinage began to dominate the Mediterranean world, and Athens, while still an important cultural center, no longer held the same level of economic or political autonomy. Nevertheless, the New Style coinage left a lasting legacy, and examples of these coins are highly prized by modern collectors and historians for their beauty and their insight into Athenian society during the Hellenistic period.

In conclusion, the New Style Tetradrachms of Athens are remarkable not only for their artistic detail but also for what they reveal about the city during the Hellenistic era. They symbolize the resilience of Athens, a city that, despite losing its political dominance, remained a beacon of culture, trade, and intellectual achievement. Through these coins, Athens continued to project its identity and heritage, maintaining its connection to the classical past while navigating the changing political landscape of the Mediterranean world.