The New York Sale
Auction 40 11 January 2017
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ANCIENT COINS, ANCIENT GREEK COINS, Lucania, Metapontion. Silver Nomos (7.81 g), ca. 330-290 BC. Head of Demeter facing slightly right, wreathed with barley; in right field, . Rev. META, barley ear with leaf to right; above leaf, bucranium; below leaf, . (Johnston C2.2; SNG ANS 463; HN Italy 1584). Delicately toned. Extremely fine.
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.
Estimate: $ 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.
Estimate: $ 3,000