Athena Medallion

Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and war, is prominently featured on the new Athenian coins. Known for her strategic prowess, Athena is depicted wearing a helmet with three crests, signifying her martial attributes.

These coins originate from Greece, recently conquered by the Romans. While retaining a profile of the Greek goddess Athena on the obverse and an owl (one of her symbols) on the reverse, several elaborate additions have been made to the older style of tetradrachm coinage’s design. The new style of Athenian coins highlights Athena’s helmet, now adorned with three crests to emphasise her role as the goddess of war and wisdom. A mythological creature, either a Pegasus or a griffin, is found on the side of the helmet.

Athena’s owl perches upon an amphora, a large, often ceramic vessel used to transport and store various products such as wine or olive oil, that symbolises Athens’ prowess in the olive oil trade. Inscriptions recording the date of issue and the city magistrate who produced the coins have also been added.

Athena became the patron goddess of Athens as a result of a contest between her and Poseidon, her uncle and the god of the sea. Each god offered the city one gift, and the citizens would choose the winner based on which they preferred. Poseidon struck the ground with his trident, causing a mighty saltwater spring to emerge. Undismayed, Athena gave the citizens an olive tree, which proved more bountiful and valuable for the city. She was victorious in the competition, but her rivalry with her uncle remained tumultuous, portrayed as such in Homeric poetry and other myths.

• Coin Ø 32mm

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Each ancient coin and artefact used in our jewellery has been restored and professionally stabilised to ensure it can be enjoyed for lifetimes. Patina, the natural toning and oxidation on silver, bronze, and copper coins, is not dirt; it is a protective layer formed over hundreds of years, adding to the coin’s unique history. Conservation efforts aim to stabilise and preserve these valuable patinas whenever possible. Silver naturally tones over time, developing a soft to deep grey with brighter highlights on raised surfaces. This toning is highly coveted, adding a touch of age and beauty to the coin’s details that only time can provide.

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