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Æ18 - Hadrian ΗΛΕΙ-ωΝ
| Issuer | Elis (Achaea) |
|---|---|
| Year | 117-138 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | 4.27 g |
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| Obverse description | Laureate head of Emperor Hadrian facing right, depicted in the Greek provincial style typical of Elean civic coinage. The portrait features the emperor's characteristic beard and idealized facial features. The encircling legend names the emperor in Greek characters. The flan is irregular, as is common for struck provincial bronzes of this period. |
|---|---|
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| Obverse lettering | ΑΥΤΟΚΡΑΤωΡ- ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ (Translation: Emperor Hadrian) |
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| Additional information |
Elis controlled Olympia and leveraged that monopoly aggressively in coin production, issuing bronze for local religious and festival commerce tied to the sanctuary rather than broader regional exchange. The Olympic Games cycle — held every four years — likely drove episodic demand for small bronzes like this one, used by pilgrims and vendors operating within the sacred precinct.
Hadrian visited Olympia twice, in 124 and 128 AD, and took a personal interest in the sanctuary's restoration. His presence almost certainly encouraged the local magistrates to authorize new bronze issues bearing his name during these years.