Archaios | Diobol Lucania Metapontion Athena Helmeted Grain Ear Cornucopia RARE

Description: Archaios Numismatics Description: Greek Silver Diobol of Metapontion in Lucania, c. 325-275 BC. Obverse: Head of Athena Right wearing Corinthian Helmet. Reverse: Barley Grain or Corn ear with leaf to Right.; Cornucopia above leaf. Mint: Metapontion, Lucania Size: 11 mm Weight: 0.94 g Ref: SGC 421; BMC 1, 163; Johnston F21 Condition: gF. Nice example of this RARE small diobol. Use the Picture as your judge as grading is subjective. Notes: Metapontum was an Achaean colony of remote antiquity, which, after having been destroyed, was refounded from Sybaris, under the leader- ship of Leukippos, early in the sixth century B.C. It occupied a plain of extraordinary fertility on the Gulf of Tarentum, between the rivers Bradanos and Kasuentos. Its coinage in the earliest period consists of Staters (129 grs. max.), Thirds (42 grs.), Sixths (21 grs.), and Twelfths (11 grs.), inscribed ΜΕΤΑΠ◇ΝΤS, usually abbreviated and often retro- grade. In fabric the coins resemble those of the other Achaean cities, being thin plate-like disks with the reverse-type incuse. Towards the close of this first period the fabric of the coins becomes more compact, and the pieces gain in thickness what they lose in super- ficies. The badge of Metapontum, the Ear of corn, would seem to imply that Demeter was the divinity chiefly honoured there, though Busolt (i. 411) quotes authorities to show that it was Apollo rather than Demeter; connecting with this the offering of the Metapontines at Delphi of a θερος χρυσουν (Strab. vi. 264). May not, however, that offering have been simply the dedication of the παρασημον of the city ? (Mac- donald, Coin Types, p. 65). The locust, or some other creature destruc- tive to the crops, is, according to Lenormant (Grande Grèce, i. p. 128), intended as a sort of propitiation of the destroying influences in nature— the powers of death and destruction. It seems more probable, however, that it is merely a touch of local colour, like the beetle on the famous tetradrachm of Aetna (q. v.). Excerpts from Head, Hist. Num. We Thank You for stopping in and taking time to look at and bid on our listings. Good Luck Bidding ! We encourage you to click the "See other items" link above in the "Seller Information" area of the listing as well to check out our other items posted. We have a variety of great classical and other ancient numismatic items available. We will be regularly continuing to post for sale and auction a wide variety of Ancient Roman, Greek, and Eastern coins as well as Medieval, Byzantine, and some Modern coins as well. You can also follow us to be notified when new listings are posted. With over 20 years in the numismatics hobby we continue to revel in the excitement that comes from holding each new small piece of history in our hands. We enjoy the enduring sense of history both of the prior uses and users as well as the creativity and necessity that surround the time and place at which these coins were minted and used in circulation. Our aim is to cater not just to the high end collector but also to the hobbyist and the newly initiated and those on a limited budget. Everyone starts the hobby somewhere and where we can share our knowledge to help inform or jumpstart your collecting pleasure we will aim to do so. We want you to love every purchase you make with us and we always stand by the quality and authenticity of all the coins we are selling.

Price: 130 USD

Location: Seattle, Washington

End Time: 2024-08-11T20:28:50.000Z

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