The Prospero Collection of Ancient Greek Coins. ITALY. Lucania, Metapontum (c.400-340 B.C.), Silver Stater, 7.70g,. Head of Demeter facing to left, her hair in a sphendone, wearing an earring and a necklace, traces of the signature APIΣTO on the truncation of her neck. Rev. META , ear of barley, a leaf on left (Noe 433 (these dies); SNG ANS 331 (these dies); HN Italy 1521). Attractive cabinet tone, good style, very fine. Ex Spink Numismatic Circular, Volume XCVIII, Number 10, London, December 1990, 7418 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$ 800
更多