The Owl of Athena, deeply rooted in ancient Greek mythology and closely associated with the city of Athens and its patron goddess Athena, symbolises wisdom and knowledge. Originating from its prominent depiction on Athenian coinage, particularly the silver tetradrachms, the owl became emblematic of Athens' intellectual prowess and cultural significance, reinforcing its identity as a centre of learning and philosophy. Beyond currency, the owl's symbolism permeated ancient Greek art, literature, and philosophy, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to resonate in modern culture as a timeless symbol of wisdom and scholarship, embodying the enduring influence of ancient Greek civilisation.
The Owl of Athena silver bullion coin features the owl on the reverse. It is depicted perched on a stick, with an olive and two leaves on a branch behind it and the crescent moon above. The inscription beneath the owl reads ‘1OZ .999 FINE SILVER’ denoting the coin’s weight and purity. It also includes the initialism ‘A☉E’ with the letter ‘O’ symbolising the sun as it contains a central dot.
The obverse displays a relief portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and includes the year and face value, which is two New Zealand dollars, in the surrounding legend. The rim on both sides of the coin is reeded.
The Owl of Athena 1oz Silver Coin 2019 contains one troy ounce of .999 pure silver and has a metric weight of 31.10 grams. It measures 39.00 mm in diameter and has a thickness of 2.30 mm.
The Owl of Athena silver bullion coin holds appeal for both collectors and investors due to a combination of valuable precious metal content, artistic design, and cultural significance. Whilst the coin holds legal tender status, its face value is typically much lower than its intrinsic value as a silver bullion coin.
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