The Prospero Collection of Ancient Greek Coins. ITALY. Lucania, Metapontum (c.400-340 B.C.), Silver Stater, 7.76g,. Head of Demeter facing to right, her hair in a sphendone, wearing an earring. Rev. META , ear of barley, a leaf on right with a pomegranate above (Noe 491 (these dies); SNG ANS 370 (these dies); HN Italy 1544). Small cut on edge at 12 o’clock, dark tone, very fine. Purchased from Spink & Son Ltd., London, 6 June 1984 Metapontum was another of the wealthy Greek colonies in Magna Graecia. Throughout the extensive series of staters that Metapontum issued, the ear of barley, to which the city-state owed its wealth, features prominently. Perhaps of most interest however, is the head of Demeter, the goddess of corn, which usually appears on the obverse of the staters. The head of Demeter is consistently represented as a young woman, often engraved in exquisite beauty to a very high degree of artistry. Considering the range of different styles in which Demeter manifests herself, it is tempting to think that the artists responsible might have taken their inspiration from real life. The Prospero Collection includes a very attractive and select group of staters from Metapontum. US$ 1,000
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