PELOPONNESOS. Elis. Olympia. AR Stater (12.00 gms), "Zeus" Mint, ca. 468-460 B.C (78th-80th Olympiad). NGC VF, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 2/5. Countermarks.

HGC-5, 290 (same obv. die as illustration); BCD Olympia-7 (same obv. die); Seltman-19 (dies N/π). Obverse: Eagle flying left, clutching serpent in beak; Reverse: Winged Nike running left, holding hem and wreath; F-A across lower field; all within incuse circle. This attractive early piece is boldly struck on an oblong flan, and retains beautiful details. A gunmetal gray hue envelopes its surfaces, with some noted countermarks (rosette, lion's paw, and flying bird) present on the obverse--a rather typical aspect of the coinage. A similar example from the BCD Collection and Cabinet W (sharing an obverse die as this specimen) realized a total of $66,000 in January 2012.

From the Mark and Lottie Salton Collection. Ex: J. Hirsch. Purportedly ex: Robert Jameson Collection (after the publication of his catalog).