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| Issuer | Olympia |
|---|---|
| Year | 30 BC |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Draped bust of Hera facing right, her hair elaborately coiled and bound beneath an ornamented stephane (diadem crown) decorated with floral or palmette motifs. The facial features are rendered in the Hellenistic style with a refined profile, prominent nose, and softly modeled cheek. Wavy locks fall naturally onto the neck and shoulder. The field is plain, with no visible legend or inscription. |
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| Reverse script | Greek |
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| Additional information |
Olympia functioned as a sanctuary city rather than a conventional polis, and its coin issues were tied directly to the administration of the Olympic Games and the sanctuary of Zeus at Elis. By 30 BC, the site was operating under Roman hegemony following decades of conflict that had seen the sanctuary stripped of dedications and wealth — Sulla famously transferred much of Olympia's treasure to Delphi to fund his campaigns in the 80s BC.
Bronze issues from this period are poorly documented in terms of exact striking authority, with Elis effectively controlling the mint on behalf of the sanctuary.