Lot 4070
Elis, Olympia. Silver Stater (12.22g) struck ca. 385-365 BC. F - A. Head right of Hera in stephane, wearing pendant earring and wire necklace; stephane adorned with five palmettes adjoined with tendrils and H - R - A in the spaces. Reverse: Eagle standing left, head reverted, its left wing raised; around, olive wreath; all within circular incuse. Seltman 301c (EU/θξ; this coin) = Babelon pl. CCXXXII, 2 = Jameson I, 1239. Very rare. Attractively toned and of the finest style. Extremely Fine.
The fertile country of Elis in northwestern Peloponnese was the home of Greece's principal sanctuary of Zeus. Situated at Olympia, this was also the site of the famous festival center where, commencing traditionally in 776 BC, the Olympian Games were celebrated every fourth year. The coinage in the name of the Eleans was issued not from the city of Elis itself but from the festival center at Olympia. From the early part of fifth century, an extensive series of coins, principally silver staters, was produced at Olympia honoring both Zeus and his consort Hera. The mints for these coins may even have been situated within the actual temple precincts of the two deities.
This beautiful early fourth century BC stater has the head of Hera on the obverse, her name inscribed on the stephane. The reverse shows an eagle, the bird sacred to Zeus, within an encircling wreath of olive leaves.
Estimated Value $15,000 - 20,000.
The Hunter Collection; Ex Superior Stamp & Coin NYINC Auction, December 8-9, 1995, lot 820; Lanz 70, 21 November 1994, lot 75; Numismatic Fine Arts Auction XXV, November 29, 1990, lot 116; Leu 22, 8-9 May 1979, lot 109; Jameson Collection I, lot 1239; and Hirsch XVI, 1906, lot 573.
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| Realized $55,200 |
