The Athenian silver drachma was a coin used in ancient Athens around the 5th century BCE. Made primarily of silver, it weighed approximately 4.3 grams and featured a design that often included the image of the goddess Athena on one side and an owl, symbolizing wisdom, on the other. This coin became a standard currency in the Greek world and facilitated trade and commerce. The drachma was not only a medium of exchange but also a representation of Athenian power and culture. Its widespread use helped establish Athens as a major economic center in the ancient Mediterranean, influencing trade routes and interactions with other city-states.