Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XVI 26 Sep 2018
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Etruria, Populonia AR 20 Asses. Circa 300-250 BC. Facing head of Metus with curly hair and torque-like diadem over head; X. .X below / Blank. EC I, 62.20 (O49, this coin); HN Italy 152. 7.63g, 22mm.
Extremely Fine. Very Rare; one of only ten examples from this die.
From the collection of a Swiss Etruscologist;
This coin published in I. Vecchi, Etruscan Coinage, 2012;
Ex Astarte 7, 10 October 2001, lot 11.
While at first glance this issue appears to follow on from the previous series (EC I, 61) given the curved diadem above the head, closer inspection reveals some important discrepancies. Firstly, the 'hair' bears little resemblance to any of the preceding Metus issues, with semicircular ringlets enclosing pellet ornaments. More important is the placement of two wings to either side of the uppermost part of head, just above the 'diadem'. While the winged head of Medusa is a common convention in later Greek art, it is quite unusual in this context.
Stylistically and iconographically this series stands well apart from the rest of the Second Metus Group (series 37-64). In terms of the artistry employed, the semi-circular pellet-in-ringlets and curved, pelleted diadem above the head lend an almost Celtic quality to the style of the work; the addition of the small wings above the head represent an abrupt departure from the more archaizing heads that preceded this issue. It is difficult to tell, on account of the poor condition of the surviving examples, if the wings were present on the other die (O48) used to strike this issue, but it seems likely that they were not.
This issue should certainly be considered to be in the first rank of surviving Etruscan coinage; it is a bold and fresh take on an extensive series, and of great aesthetic quality.
Extremely Fine. Very Rare; one of only ten examples from this die.
From the collection of a Swiss Etruscologist;
This coin published in I. Vecchi, Etruscan Coinage, 2012;
Ex Astarte 7, 10 October 2001, lot 11.
While at first glance this issue appears to follow on from the previous series (EC I, 61) given the curved diadem above the head, closer inspection reveals some important discrepancies. Firstly, the 'hair' bears little resemblance to any of the preceding Metus issues, with semicircular ringlets enclosing pellet ornaments. More important is the placement of two wings to either side of the uppermost part of head, just above the 'diadem'. While the winged head of Medusa is a common convention in later Greek art, it is quite unusual in this context.
Stylistically and iconographically this series stands well apart from the rest of the Second Metus Group (series 37-64). In terms of the artistry employed, the semi-circular pellet-in-ringlets and curved, pelleted diadem above the head lend an almost Celtic quality to the style of the work; the addition of the small wings above the head represent an abrupt departure from the more archaizing heads that preceded this issue. It is difficult to tell, on account of the poor condition of the surviving examples, if the wings were present on the other die (O48) used to strike this issue, but it seems likely that they were not.
This issue should certainly be considered to be in the first rank of surviving Etruscan coinage; it is a bold and fresh take on an extensive series, and of great aesthetic quality.