Watch List notes:

LUCANIA. Metapontum. Circa 540-510 BC. Nomos (Silver, 28.5 mm, 8.03 g, 12 h). ΜΕΤ Ear of barley with eight grains; ethnic in the left field; border of dots. Rev. ΜΕΤ Ear of barley with eight grains, all incuse; ethnic, in relief, in the right field; incuse rayed border. AMB 127 (this coin). HN III 1459. Jameson 1862 (same dies). Noe 4. Nicely toned and attractive. One of the earliest coins struck by Metapontum. Good very fine.
From the collection of A. Moretti, Numismatica Ars Classica 13, 8 October 1998, 127.

Metapontum derived its wealth and prosperity from its abundant grain crops; thus, it is understandable that the grain ear became the city's symbol.