OLYMPIA SILVER HEMIDRACHM – ISSUE FOR 131-135 OLYMPIA WITH HEAD OF ZEUS – CHOICE FINE NGC GRADED GREEK ELIS COIN (Inv. 19854)

$650.00

19854. ELIS. OLYMPIA. Ca. 256–240 BC.
Silver Hemidrachm, 2.33 g, 15 mm. Issue for the 131–135th Olympiad, ca. 256–240 BC.
Obv. Laureate head of Zeus right. Rev. F–A flanking winged thunderbolt, all within olive wreath.
BCD Olympia 355.5 (same dies); HGC 5, 512.
Ex CNG Electronic Auction 209, 4/22/2009, lot 143.
NGC graded CHOICE FINE, Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5.

The head of Zeus on the coin is likely based on that of the famous chryselephantine (gold and ivory) colossal cult statue of Zeus from the Temple of Zeus at Olympia. It was executed in the Greek Classical period by the famous sculptor Phidias who claimed to have been inspired by the verses of Homer describing Zeus: “The son of Cronos spoke, and bowed his dark brow in assent, and the ambrosial locks waved from the king’s immortal head; and he made great Olympus quake.” [Iliad 1, 538–540]