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Stater - 98th Olympiad
| Issuer | Olympia |
|---|---|
| Year | 388 BC |
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| Shape | Round (irregular) |
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| Obverse description | Eagle standing left atop the back of a recumbent ram, its beak plunging into the ram's neck in a fierce predatory gesture; the entire group is depicted upon a circular shield with a raised rim. The composition is rendered in bold, high-relief style characteristic of the Elean mint, with careful attention to the feathering of the eagle's wings and the musculature of the ram. |
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| Reverse script | Greek |
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| Additional information |
The 98th Olympiad of 388 BC is notable for the appearance of Dionysius I of Syracuse, who sent a delegation to compete in the chariot races and hired rhapsodes to recite his poetry in the sanctuary precincts. The crowd reportedly responded with open mockery, and one of his ships was wrecked on the return voyage — interpreted widely as divine displeasure. Coins struck at Elis for the festival games served as ceremonial issues tied directly to the quadrennial sanctuary economy at Olympia.
The SNG Fitzwilliam 3670 reference places this firmly within the Aetion-period coinage, struck under Elean authority for the games themselves.