Silver Stater, Elis, Olympia, 336 BCE (111th Olympiad)

Silver Stater, Elis, Olympia, 336 BCE (111th Olympiad); Obverse: Head of Hera in stephanos, with inscription FΑΛΕΙΩΝ (WALEION = “of the people of Elis”). She wears triple pendant earring and beaded necklace. Inscription FΑ (abbreviation for “of the people of Elis”).
Silver Stater, Elis, Olympia, 336 BCE (111th Olympiad); Reverse: Eagle standing on shield(?) inside olive spray wreath.
Unidentified Artist, Greek

Type/Object Name: Ob:Head of Hera in stephanos, with inscription FΑΛΕΙΩΝ (WALEION = “of the people of Elis”). She wears triple pendant earring and beaded necklace. Inscription FΑ (abbreviation for “of the people of Elis”). | Re: Eagle standing on shield(?) inside olive spray wreath. 

Dates: 336 BCE

Medium: Silver, Stater

Dimensions: Diameter 23.2 mm, Weight 12.1276 g

Credit Line: Courtesy of John Nebel

Notes: Elis was the city-state in charge of the great Sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia, home of the Olympic Games. The sanctuary included an ancient temple to Hera as well as the sparkling 5th-century temple to Zeus that housed the gold-and-ivory statue made by Pheidias, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The head of Hera on this coin, with its elaborate earring, emphasizes her joint worship at the site. The eagle on the reverse is the bird sacred to Zeus, and the olive wreath refers to the prize that was awarded victors at the Olympic Games.

Collection: Coin, John Nebel

Bibliography: Seltman Temple Coins 343 (FG/IX). 

https://ancientmoney.org/greece_proper/elis_hera_stater.HTML