Lot 1504
Lucania, Metapontion. Silver Nomos (7.73 g), ca. 400-330 BC. Head of Demeter right, wearing single-pendant earring and hair bound with sakkos; behind neck, KPI. Reverse: METAΠO[O], Grain ear with leaf to left. Noe 499 (same dies); McClean 961 (same dies); HN Italy 1537. NGC grade AU*; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5. Fine style. Estimated Value $4,000 - UP
In ca. 630 BC, Metapontion was founded by Achaian Greek colonists at a site chosen for the rich soil of the surrounding territory. The city subsequently grew rich from its production and export of grain. Indeed, Metapontion and its people were so closely connected to the source of their wealth that on one occasion the Metapontines are said to have once dedicated a "golden harvest" at Delphi. This is presumed to have been a dedication of sheaves of grain made from gold. A grain ear was also well established as the civic badge of Metapontion on coins struck already in the sixth century BC.
In the fourth century BC, Metapontion began to issue a new series of nomoi that regularly featured the changeable head of a deity (here Demeter) on the obverse and a grain ear on the reverse. The reverse type follows the old tradition of featuring the civic grain-ear emblem while the obverse type of Demeter is exactly what one might expect on a coinage struck by a city devoted to growing rich from agriculture. Without the assistance of Demeter, the Greek agricultural goddess par excellence, the Metapontines might suffer drought, crop failure, and the end to their grain-derived wealth. In order to ensured that the city remained on Demeter's good side, Metapontion contained several sanctuaries dedicated to the goddess. The most notable of these had been the house of the sixth-century political philosopher Pythagoras. He had lived in Metapontion after fleeing from Kroton. After he died, the house was consecrated to Demeter.
*This coin contains the COIN WORLD PLUS sticker.
Private purchase from Freeman & Sear 8-10-2007.
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| Realized $4,800 |
