Heritage World Coin Auctions
CICF Signature Sale 3046 14-15 April 2016
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Augustus (27 BC-AD 14). AR denarius (19mm, 3.66 gm, 4h). Peloponnesus mint, ca. 21 BC. AVGVSTVS, bare head of Augustus right / IOVI - OLVM, hexastyle temple of Zeus at Olympia, seen from the front, round shield in the pediment and palmettes on roof. RIC 472. BMCRE 666. BN 939. RSC 182. Rare. Pleasing old cabinet toning. NGC AU 4/5 - 5/5. Fine Style. The Temple of Zeus at Olympia, built in the mid fifth century BC, housed the gigantic statue of Zeus by the sculptor Phidias, named one of the Seven Wonders of the World by Philon of Byzantium. The temple itself was designed by the architect Libon and was considered the epitome of the Doric order. Augustus toured Greece in 21 BC and likely ordered the striking of this denarius type to celebrate his visit to the famous temple. The temple seems to have survived relatively unscathed until AD 425, when the pious Christian Emperor Theodosius II ordered its destruction. The statue may have been dismantled and carried off to Constantinople, but it too was apparently lost in a fire in AD 475.
Estimate: 1200-1800 USD
Augustus (27 BC-AD 14). AR denarius (19mm, 3.66 gm, 4h). Peloponnesus mint, ca. 21 BC. AVGVSTVS, bare head of Augustus right / IOVI - OLVM, hexastyle temple of Zeus at Olympia, seen from the front, round shield in the pediment and palmettes on roof. RIC 472. BMCRE 666. BN 939. RSC 182. Rare. Pleasing old cabinet toning. NGC AU 4/5 - 5/5. Fine Style. The Temple of Zeus at Olympia, built in the mid fifth century BC, housed the gigantic statue of Zeus by the sculptor Phidias, named one of the Seven Wonders of the World by Philon of Byzantium. The temple itself was designed by the architect Libon and was considered the epitome of the Doric order. Augustus toured Greece in 21 BC and likely ordered the striking of this denarius type to celebrate his visit to the famous temple. The temple seems to have survived relatively unscathed until AD 425, when the pious Christian Emperor Theodosius II ordered its destruction. The statue may have been dismantled and carried off to Constantinople, but it too was apparently lost in a fire in AD 475.
Estimate: 1200-1800 USD