Elis Celebrates After Regaining the Sanctuary

Triton XXI, Lot: 427. Estimate $7500. Sold for $11000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ELIS, Olympia. 105th Olympiad. 360 BC. AR Stater (24mm, 11.74 g, 9h). ‘Zeus’ mint. Head of Zeus left, wearing laurel wreath / Eagle, with closed wings, standing right on Ionic capital; F-A flanking. Seltman, Temple 179 (dies CC/δο); BCD Olympia 121 (same obv. die); HGC 5, 365; Boston MFA 1211 (same obv. die); Rhousopoulos 2554 (same obv. die). Good VF, toned, slightly granular surfaces, light graze on cheek.

Ex G. Hirsch 272 (4 May 2011), lot 282.

The obverse die used here was engraved by the same master who engraved the dies of the extremely rare Zeus / Olympia stater. The issues of the 105th Olympiad were struck to commemorate the Elaians’ reclamation of the sanctuary after the withdrawal of the Arkadians in 363 BC, and employed some of the most talented artists of the entire series.