LUCANIA, Metapontion. Circa 330-290 BC. AR Nomos (20mm, 7.83 g, 3hh). EF.

Triton XXVII
Lot: 18. Estimated: $ 1 000

Greek, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 900. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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LUCANIA, Metapontion. Circa 330-290 BC. AR Nomos (20mm, 7.83 g, 3hh). Wreathed head of Demeter right, wearing triple-pendant earring and necklace; E[Y] below chin / Barley ear of seven grains with leaf to right; META upward to left, ΛY to lower left, star above leaf. Johnston Class C, 8.12 (same dies); HN Italy 1592; SNG Fitzwilliam 514 (same dies); Pozzi 192 (same obv. die). Underlying luster, a couple of tiny flan flaws. EF. Struck from dies of pleasing style.

Metapontion, originally named Sybaris, was an Achaian colony of very early foundation, though the precise details of its origin are shrouded in uncertainty. Following the destruction of its first foundation by the Samnites, it was refounded, as Metapontion, early in the 7th century BC by settlers under the leadership of Leukippos, who was thereafter revered as the city founder. The great prosperity of the city — attested by the extent of its archaic silver coinage commencing in the mid 6th century BC — was based on agriculture. Situated on the Gulf of Tarentum, Metapontion occupied a plain of extraordinary fertility watered by the rivers Bradanos and Kasuentos. Its standard coin type is an ear of barley, a tribute to the source of Metapontine wealth, and Demeter, the goddess of grain who is the city’s most revered deity.

The final winners of all Triton XXVII lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 9-10 January 2024.

Triton XXVII – Session One – Lot 1-337 will be held Tuesday morning, 9 January 2024 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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