Metapontion - also known as Metapontium or Metapontum - was an important city of Magna Graecia, situated on the gulf of Tarentum, between the river Bradanus and the Casuentus (modern Basento). It was distant about 20 km from Heraclea and 40 from Tarentum.
Though Metapontum was an ancient Greek Achaean colony,various traditions assigned to it a much earlier origin.
It played an important part in several conflicts, including the Peloponessian War, the Pyrrhic War, and the Punic Wars - before falling under Roman sovereignty in 207 BC.
Though Metapontum was an ancient Greek Achaean colony,various traditions assigned to it a much earlier origin.
It played an important part in several conflicts, including the Peloponessian War, the Pyrrhic War, and the Punic Wars - before falling under Roman sovereignty in 207 BC.
Modern location:
(1)
Metapontion
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An
Fourree
Stater
struck 540-510BC
in
Metapontion
Obverse: MET or META, Ear of Barley
Reverse: Incuse of obverse
Diameter:
20 mm
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 4.86 g
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 4.86 g
A bronze core fourrée of the aforementioned coin with plating entirely absent.
Denomination also called "Nomos".
cf. SNG ANS 209-259
(2)
Metapontion
An
AR
Didrachm
struck 400-340 BCE
in
Metapontion
Obverse: Head of Demeter right, hair bound with wreath of barley ears
Reverse: META (Barley ear)
Diameter:
19.6 mm
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 8.05 g
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 8.05 g
At the bottom of Demeter's neck, one can just make out the top of an A and an Ρ for 'ΑΡΙ', or Aristoxenos, the die-cutter.
Provenance:
Hess-Leu, Lucerne, March 27th 1956, lot 22.
Peus, Frankfurt, auction 274, October 29th 1970, lot 1511.
Privately purchased from ArtAncient.
No references provided for this coin
(3)
Metapontion
An
AR
Stater
struck c. 330-290 BC
in
Metapontion
Obverse: head of Demeter right wearing grain ears, triple pendant earring and necklace
Reverse: ear of barley with leaf to right; plough right; META / MAX
Diameter:
20 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 7.8 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 7.8 g
No notes for this coin
Johnston Class C1:4; HN Italy 1581
(4)
Metapontion
An
AR
Nomos
struck 550-480 BC
in
Metapontion
Obverse: Seven-grained barley ear
Reverse: Incuse barley ear
Diameter:
28 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 7.46 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 7.46 g
No notes for this coin
Noe 115
(5)
Metapontum
An
AR
Stater
struck 510-470 BC
in
Metapontion
Obverse: Barley ear
Reverse: Same type incuse
Diameter:
22 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 7.96 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 7.96 g
No notes for this coin
No references provided for this coin