Metapontum
Nomos circa 333-331, AR 7.81 g. Female head l., hair in net behind. Rev. META[Π] Ear of barley with leaf of stalk to r.; in upper field r., ivy-leaf. Noe 522 (these dies). SNG Copenhagen 1205 (these dies). Historia Numorum Italy 1545.
Very rare and in unusual condition for the issue. Wonderful old cabinet
tone and good very fine / about extremely fine

Privately purchased from Tradart at TEFAF in 2011. From the Charles Gillet collection.
This issue, following on as it does from the rather dull coins of the early 330s, shares with them certain characteristics, but transforms them. The relief is much higher and the detail finer; the jewellery is carefully observed, the earring becoming of fashionable Syracusan type. Demeter is suddenly stylish. A parallel emission, also of hugely improved style and fabric and from the same hand, N.529, has revealingly as reverse symbol a helmet of simplified Macedonian type and it would be perverse not to see in such an indication notice of the arrival of the Epirote saviour.