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Æ19 - Hadrian ΗΛΕΙ-ωΝ
| Issuer | Elis (Achaea) |
|---|---|
| Year | 117-138 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Shape | Round (irregular) |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Greek |
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| Reverse description | Eagle standing facing with wings spread, head turned to the right, holding a wreath in its beak. The bird is rendered in the typical provincial Greek style, occupying the central field. The ethnic legend of the Eleans is divided across the field on either side of the eagle. The overall composition reflects the sanctuary city of Olympia's association with Zeus and his sacred bird. |
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| Additional information |
Elis controlled Olympia and exploited that monopoly aggressively in coinage, issuing bronzes tied directly to the quadrennial festival cycle rather than to any broader civic or imperial need. Hadrian visited the sanctuary in person — almost certainly during his 124–125 AD tour of Greece — and his relationship with the Eleans was unusually close, likely explaining the proliferation of his portrait on their local issues during this period.