This image of a coin with owl from Athens reflects an ancient Athenian coin of ca. 520 B.C.E. The owl, appearing on the reverse or back of a silver coin called a tetradrachm, is the animal attribute for the goddess Athena who was the patron deity of the city named for her, Athens. Along with the owl, sprigs of olive leaves appear in the upper left, and the first letters of the city name at right.