Lot 1971

Description

Italy, Lucania, Metapontum, (c.300 B.C.), silver stater or nomos, (7.92 grams), obv. three quarter facing bust of Demeter partially to right, wearing corn wreath, to right in field AG, rev. ear of corn, [M]ETA upwards to left, AQA to right, leaf with bucranium above, (S.417; SNG Lockett 417 (same obverse die); Jameson 318, Johnston NN&M 164 Series C/2, same obverse die as C 2.5-2.9, unpublished reverse die). Nearly very fine and very rare.

Johnston records nine known specimens of this facing Demeter type all from three different obverse dies. This specimen has an unpublished reverse die. A recently advertised specimen from United States prices a superb piece at US$12,000.