Sale: Nomos 2, Lot: 165. Estimate CHF2800.  Closing Date: Monday, 17 May 2010.  Sold For CHF2200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Augustus. 27 BC-AD 14. Denarius (Silver, 3.60 g 12), Uncertain mint in the northern Peloponnnesos, circa 21 BC. AVGVSTVS Bare head of Augustus to right. Rev. IOVI - OLVM The hexastyle temple of Zeus at Olympia, seen from the front, with a round shield in the pediment and palmettes on the roof. Bauten 159. BMC 665. BN 939. Cohen 182. RIC 472. Rare. An attractive, bright example. Obverse struck very slightly off-center, otherwise, good extremely fine.

This coin was struck at the beginning of Augustus’ trip to the East (22-19 BC), while he was traveling across the Peloponnesos after having arrived at Patrai. Where it was struck is uncertain: it could conceivably have been produced at Elis or even Patrai. In any event, the engravers were surely Greek, since the Latin lettering is somewhat awkwardly done.