Bradley’s Jewelers Donates Ancient Coin to Art of the Olympians Collection

Aug. 31, 2011 - PRLog -- The Olympic Games of Ancient Greece do not seem so far away thanks to the generous donation Bradley Jeweler’s owners Brad and Colbi Congress. The couple has donated a unique coin from ancient Greece, known as Stater of Aspendus. The coin, known as Stater of Aspendus, dates from the 3rd- 4th Centuries B.C. and depicts a man known as “the slinger”, or an early discus thrower.

“We are touched by the generosity of Bradley’s Jewelers and are pleased to have this rare piece in our permanent collection,’’ said Cathy Oerter, Chairman of AOTO board and wife of the late, Olympian and AOTO founder Al Oerter. “Al would have loved to have seen this early depiction of a sport that he held so dear to his heart.”

Another popular depiction of the Stater of Aspendus coin is that of the ‘wrestler staters’. These coins rank among the most prolific coinages of Asia Minor from the late Classical and early Hellenistic periods. It is not known why sportsmen were depicted on the coins of Aspendus. The athletes are shown in a variety of poses, with the one on this specimen, depicting the athletes in the ready position to begin their contest, being the most familiar.

Bradley Jewelers will present the coin to Art of the Olympians for its permanent collection during the opening of the Table Tennis Showcase on Friday, September 2.The Table Tennis Showcase will allow visitors to test their skills on regulation tables in the Olympic Sports Gallery. Visitors will play against one of the two Newgy Robo-Pongs, a training robot used to improve a players’ technique, stroke through timed drills for $2 a session.

Bradley Jeweler’s is a family-owned and operated business offering custom design, fine diamond and gemstone jewelry, bridal jewelry, estate jewelry and ancient coins. They feature an on-site gem lab for insurance appraisals and gemstone detection services along with on-site fine jewelry repair. Bradley’s Jewelers opened in 2003 just off Sanibel Island. In 2007, Bradley’s relocated and expanded to the Park Shops at Andrea Lane in Fort Myers.

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Art of the Olympians, a 501(c ) 3 non-profit organization, is dedicated to inspiring creativity and stimulating change through an international program of art, education and outreach initiatives. The organization’s mission is to inspire individuals to discover and explore the power of their creative potential through arts, sports and educational programs based on the Olympic values.