Roma Numismatics

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Description:

Lucania, Metapontion AR Stater. Circa 400-340 BC. Head of Demeter left, wearing necklace, earring, ampyx and sphendone; [barley ear behind, APIΣTO on truncation of neck] / Barley ear of six grains with leaf to right; META downwards to left. Noe -, obv. die 434, rev. die 436; HN Italy 1521. 7.73g, 21mm, 9h.

Very Fine - Good Very Fine. Toned. An unlisted die combination utilising a rare reverse type.

Noe notes that the lettering of META on this rare reverse die is partially composed of dots as opposed to solid lines, as can clearly be seen on this example. He suggests that this might perhaps indicate the method used to engrave the die, which in this case was never completed before being used to strike.