Tetradrachm
505–490 B.C.
Obverse: Helmeted head of Athena, wearing a round earring, facing to the right in profile. Reverse: Owl standing to the right with its head turned frontally. To the left, an olive sprig. Inscribed to the right of the owl: ΑΘΕ [an abbreviation of ΑΘΕΝΑΙΩΝ or ATHENAION, "of the Athenians."] The owl is struck in high relief and framed on all four sides by the shape of the die. A test cut runs almost to the center of the coin.
Images courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (CC0)