Eagles have been used on coins since at least the 5th century B.C. The image below shows a selection of eagles from the ancient world up through the 20th century. Eagles have been used by nations, empires and kingdoms as symbols of ferocity, divine protection, strength, and independence among other things.
Eight coins with eagles from the 5th century B.C. to the 20th century.

1 Bronze hemilitron of Akragas in Sicily, 5th century B.C.
2 Tetradrachm of Ptolemy I of Egypt, 305–283 B.C.
3 Tetradrachm of Antioch, 2nd century A.D.
4 Augustale of the Kingdom of Sicily, 1231 A.D.
5 Russian ruble of Peter I, 1689–1721.
6 U.S. half–eagle of 1795.
7 U.S. double–eagle ($20) of 1907.
8 U.S. half-dollar of 1916.

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