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.
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.