The Athena Bracelet is a remarkable piece of jewellery featuring a 23 mm silver coin from Athens, minted around 449–413 BCE. The coin is set in 18 karat yellow gold and adorned with 26 grey sapphires. One of the unique features of the bracelet is that it can be worn showing either side of the ancient coin, allowing the wearer to appreciate both the obverse and reverse designs.
The obverse side of the coin depicts Athena, the patron and protectress goddess of Athens, wearing a crested helmet adorned with three olive leaves and a floral scroll. As the goddess of wisdom, warfare, and craftsmanship, Athena symbolised a disciplined and strategic approach to battle, particularly in the defence of just causes. She was also celebrated for her contributions to metalwork, aiding in the forging of armour and weapons, a fitting association for this finely crafted piece.
The reverse side of the coin features the owl of Athena, the iconic symbol of the Athenian polis and wisdom. The owl is shown with an olive sprig and a crescent moon. The olive tree, considered sacred to Athena, was a symbol of prosperity and peace for the city, further deepening the connection between the goddess and the Athenian polis. Remarkably, this millennia-old design still resonates today: it appears on the modern €1 coin of Greece, linking ancient tradition to contemporary currency.
This type of coin, known as the Athenian tetradrachm, was widely circulated in ancient Greece from about 510–338 BCE. It facilitated trade throughout the region due to its consistent value, establishing itself as one of history’s earliest and most trusted currencies. Athens’ rich silver mines allowed the city to mint these coins in large quantities, enabling them to become a reliable and widely accepted currency. The coin was not only adopted by many city-states in Greece but also spread to regions such as Asia Minor, Magna Graecia, and the Greek colonial cities of the Mediterranean. Through the conquests of Alexander the Great, it even reached other parts of Asia, making it the first truly international currency.
The historical significance of this type of coin is further enhanced by its speculative association with the thirty pieces of silver mentioned in the Bible, given to Judas for betraying Jesus Christ. While unconfirmed, this belief adds a profound layer of cultural and historical significance to the coin and, in turn, to the Athena Bracelet.
"I do love my bracelet and have been wearing it daily, a gentle reminder of the virtues Athena represents.”
