Bronze Ancient Greek Athens Owl Tetradrachm Coin 454-404 BC, mounted on plexiglass.

Reproduction (from the Benaki Museum in Athens) of silver tetradrachm coin depicting the owl of Athena (circa 480–420 BC). The inscription "ΑΘΕ" is an abbreviation of ΑΘΗΝΑΙΩΝ, which may be translated as "of the Athenians". In daily use the Athenian drachmas were called glaukes (γλαῦκες, owls). The olive and olive leaves on the upper left are seen as the goddess Athena's gift to Greece. The owl, a creature at home in the night, is regarded as a symbol of wisdom.