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1006
Lucania, Metapontion. Silver Nomos (8.13 g), ca. 540-510 BC. META, barley ear with eight grains. Rev.
Incuse barley ear with eight grains. (Noe 78; SNG ANS 192; HN Italy 1467). Struck on a broad fan from
finely engraved dies, light iridescent toning. Extremely fine.
$ 2,000
This stater features raised obverse types paired with matching incuse reverses, a technique that was popular among several of the
cities of Magna Graecia in southern Italy during the Archaic period. The use of matched incuse reverses was far more complex than
that of most other contemporary coinages which involved an obverse type and a reverse punch. Not only did both dies have to be
cut to the same design, but the reverse die had to be cut in high relief and adjusted properly at the time of striking in order to match
up with the obverse.
Fine Style Metapontion Silver Nomos, ca. 330-290 BC
1007
Lucania, Metapontion. Silver Nomos (7.81 g), ca. 330-290 BC. Head of Demeter facing slightly
right, wreathed with barley; in right field,
AG
. Rev. META, barley ear with leaf to right; above leaf,
bucranium; below leaf,
AQA
. (Johnston C2.2; SNG ANS 463; HN Italy 1584). Delicately toned.
Extremely fine.
$ 3,000
Metapontion was founded by Achaian Greeks, but one mythological tradition made it a city settled by Pylian followers of Nestor
who were blown off course during their return from the Trojan War. According to others, the city was founded by the followers of
Epeios, the builder of the Trojan horse. As proof of this the inhabitants of Metapontion displayed his tools in the local temple of
Athena. The city’s agricultural hinterland was excellent for grain production and from the mid-fifth century BC the grain ear became
a civic badge on Metapontine coins. Here it appears in conjunction with an attractive 3/4 facing head of Demeter, the goddess who
protected the grain crops.