Archaic and Classical Greek coinage

Archaic Greek coinage, from roughly the 7th to early 5th centuries BCE, consisted of simple stamped silver or electrum pieces, often with symbols representing city-states or gods, serving as a trusted medium of exchange. Classical Greek coinage, from the mid-5th to 4th centuries BCE, saw the development of more refined, standardized designs—most famously, Athens' silver tetradrachms featuring the owl—enhancing trust and trade. This evolution reflected increased economic complexity, political identity, and artistic achievement, shaping the foundation of Western monetary systems.