100 lire, the coin with the olive tree

According to a widespread myth in ancient Greece, the goddess Athena vied with the god Poseidon for supremacy in ancient Greece. Thus, one day, the two challenged each other to offer a gift each to Attica (the region of which Athens is the capital). Poseidon, with a strike of his trident, caused a pool of seawater and a white horse to appear, symbols of Athens' hegemony at sea and in war. Athena, on the other hand, struck her spear, causing an olive tree to grow, a symbol of prosperity and peace. The citizens of the nameless city, called to choose, had no doubts: they chose Athena's gift, and she became the patron goddess and namesake of Athens. Minerva, the corresponding goddess of Roman civilization, was depicted on the 100-lira coin.