Ancient Greek Bronze AE – Elis, Olympia (c. 3rd–2nd Century BC) Zeus / FA Wreath

Ancient Greek Bronze AE – Elis, Olympia (c. 3rd–2nd Century BC) Zeus / FA Wreath

£35.00
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Ancient Greek Bronze AE – Elis, Olympia (c. 3rd–2nd Century BC) Zeus / FA Wreath
  • Ancient Greek Bronze AE – Elis, Olympia (c. 3rd–2nd Century BC) Zeus / FA Wreath
  • Ancient Greek Bronze AE – Elis, Olympia (c. 3rd–2nd Century BC) Zeus / FA Wreath
  • Ancient Greek Bronze AE – Elis, Olympia (c. 3rd–2nd Century BC) Zeus / FA Wreath
  • Ancient Greek Bronze AE – Elis, Olympia (c. 3rd–2nd Century BC) Zeus / FA Wreath
Ancient Greek Bronze AE – Elis, Olympia (c. 3rd–2nd Century BC) Zeus / FA Wreath

Ancient Greek Bronze AE – Elis, Olympia (c. 3rd–2nd Century BC) Zeus / FA Wreath

£35.00

Ancient Greek Bronze (Æ) Coin – Sanctuary of Olympia / Elis

  • Obverse: Laureate, bearded head of Zeus facing right.

     

  • Reverse: F–A (or Digamma-Alpha) inside an olive or laurel wreath.

     

  • Physical Specs: 17.5 mm, 4.45 grams

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Historical Background:

Issued by the city-state of Elis, the custodian of the sanctuary of Olympia and host of the ancient Olympic Games. The letters F-A stand for ϜΑΛΕΙΩΝ ("of the Eleans"), featuring the archaic Greek letter Digamma (Ϝ) (which resembles the Latin 'F') to represent the local "W" dialect (Walis). Coins like this were struck to circulate among pilgrims, athletes, and visitors attending the quadrennial Olympic Games in honor of Zeus.

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