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11
Lucania, Herakleia. Silver Nomos (7.84 g), ca. 335-300 BC. Head of Athena, wearing crested Attic helmet
decorated with Skylla hurling stone; in right field, K. Rev. [HPAK
L
HIT
W
N] (faintly visible), Herakles
standing facing, holding club, bow and lion’s skin; above, Nike flying right crowning him with wreath. Van
Kauren 80; SNG ANS 24; HN Italy 1383. Well struck and delicately toned. A beautiful example of fine
style and execution. Extremely Fine.
$1,000
From the Dionysus Collection.
12
Lucania, Metapontion. Silver Nomos (7.81 g), ca. 330-290 BC. Wreathed head of Demeter left. Rev.
Barley ear with leaf to left; above leaf, tongs; below leaf, A
Q
A. Johnston class C, 4.8 (same dies); HN
Italy 1583. Boldly struck and perfectly centered. All delicately toned. An outstanding example. Superb
Extremely Fine.
$2,500
From the Dionysus Collection.
Metapontion, located at an advantageous location in the instep of the “boot” of Italy, was founded early in the eighth century BC by
Achaean colonists in an attempt to deny the site to the Dorians of Taras. The Metapontines grew wealthy from their rich grain-pro-
ducing hinterland and thus a full grain ear became a common civic badge on coins of Metapontion already in the sixth century BC.
This nomos illustrates the continuation of this tradition into the early Hellenistic period. This particular emission may have been
struck in connection with the adventures of foreign dynasts in southern Italy. Metapontion was an ally of Alexander the Molossian
during his campaigns against the Lucanians and Bruttians in 332-326 BC, but opposed Kleonymos of Sparta in 303 BC. This op-
position cost the city dearly and the Metapontines were at last forced to pay exorbitant sums to Kleonymos and his Lucanian allies.