Elis, Olympia Stater circa 450-440, AR 24.00 mm., 11.96 g.

Eagle flying r., grasping hare with its talons and tearing at it with its beak. Rev. Nike running l., holding wreath in extended r. hand and l. raising hem of chiton; in field, F – A. All within incuse circle. Seltman –, cf. 70 (different obverse die). SNG Copenhagen 358.

This stater was probably struck as part of a festival coinage used by visitors and participants in the Olympic games held in the mid-fifth century BC. The types are typical for Olympic issues of the period. The obverse type advertises Zeus, the god to whom the Olympic games were dedicated, by representing his eagle. An eagle in various forms had been a staple type for Eleian coinage produced for Olympia since the first issues of 468 BC and continued until the late fifth century BC, when the head of Zeus began to appear on the obverse. The depiction of the eagle with a hare in its talons on this coin may perhaps have inspired the similar image that appears on issues of Akragas in Sicily in c. 420-410 BC. The reverse type featuring Nike was also customary for the bulk of the Olympian coinage of this period. She is shown here running with a wreath in her outstretched hand, giving the impression that she is in a great hurry to crown the latest victor in the games.

Rare. Old cabinet tone, countermark on obverse, otherwise Very fine



From the collection of a Mentor.