Little Owl Badge

<p>Exclusive to the Museum, a small badge with a design based on an ancient Athenian coin in the Museum's collection. <br /> <br /> This lovely design is inspired by the owl of Athena, the species of which is known in English as the Little Owl. The owl is shown on an ancient coin and is often depicted as a symbol of or companion to Athena, the Greek Goddess of wisdom. Leaves next to the little owl signify Athena's sacred olive tree, which is also depicted on the coin. <br /> <br /> <b>More about the original coin</b> <br /> <br /> The original coin dates back to 450BC - 406BC and was a type called a <i>tetradrachm</i>, made from solid silver. On one side of the coin, it shows the head Athena, Greek goddess of Wisdom. <br /> <br /> On the reverse side; it shows Athena's tree and her sacred animal the owl, the symbol of wisdom. <br /> <br /> The owl species depicted Athenian Owl is the <i>Athena Noctua</i>, also known as the Little Owl or Minerva Owl. <br /> <br /> An ornamental <a class="linkarrow" title="Select this link to view the replica coin." href=" http://www.britishmuseumshoponline.org/invt/cmcr43950" target="_blank">replica of the coin <span class="arrow"></span></a> is also available.</p>

Exclusive to the British Museum, a children’s button badge based on an ancient Athenian coin from the Museum’s collection.

The design of this badge is based on an original Athenian coin called a tetradrachm which was cast around 460-450 BC. The coin features the head of Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom, on one side, and her companion Athena Noctua, the ‘Little Owl’, on the other. The leaves of the olive tree next to the owl were sacred to Athena, and were also depicted on the original coin.

A sweet gift for children learning about ancient Greece.