THE ANCIENT OLYMPIC GAMES COMMEMORATIVE COINS

Abstract

The article deals with the study of the ancient Olympic Games based on the analysis of numismatic materials. It presents the history of the Olympic Games held in Elis from 776 BC to 394 AD and highlights their significance in the socio-political life of the ancient world. Attention is focused on the ancient tradition of minting Olympic coins, which was established in 471 BC.

The study provides a detailed description of Olympic coins of various denominations - staters, hemidrachms, tetradrachms, and hemiobols - minted in Elis from the 78th to the 143rd Olympiad (468-208 BC). Special emphasis is placed on the iconographic features of these coins, including the depictions and symbols represented on obverse and reverse, such as the eagle, Zeus, Hera, Nike, and the olive wreath, among others.

In parallel, the research discusses the history of the revival of the modern Olympic Games, which is connected with the name of the French educator, historian and public figure Pierre de Fredi, Baron de Coubertin. It was precisely through his efforts that in 1894, at the Sorbonne Congress, the historic decision was made to revive the Olympic Games. The Olympic Charter was also developed. Since 1952, the foundation was laid for the issuance of commemorative coins of various themes related to the Olympics by the host countries.

The conducted research once again emphasizes the fact that the history of issuing commemorative coins is an extremely vast topic and represents an important part of cultural heritage.