Metapontum
Nomos circa 400-340, AR 7.76 g. Head of Demeter r., hair bound with fillet, wearing earring. Rev. METAΠON Ear of barely with leaf to r.; on which palmette. Noe 485b (this coin?). Jameson 287 (this obverse die). SNG Lloyd 365 (this obverse die). SNG ANS 367. Historia Numorum Italy 1540.
An extremely rare variety, only two specimens cited by Noe. Lovely old cabinet
tone gently smoothed, otherwise good very fine

Ex New York sale XXVII, Prospero, 2012, 61. Previously privately purchased from Spink & Son in 1989 and possibly ex Spink & Son Numismatic Circular vol. XXV, 1917, 53399.
This nomos of the first half of the fourth century BC follows the standard pattern for the coinage of Metapontum in this period. The obverse is typically given over to the head of a deity which was changed at intervals while the reverse depicts a grain ear, which had been the badge of the city since the sixth century BC and the emblem of its source of wealth. Metapontum had been founded by Achaian Greek colonists in c. 630 BC and soon grew wealthy from the rich soil of its hinterland and the export of the grain crops it produced. So closely connected was Metapontum and its grain that the Metapontines are said to have once dedicated a “golden harvest” at Delphi. This is presumed to have been a dedication of sheaves of grain fashioned from gold. As a major producer of grain, it is not surprising that Demeter held an important position at Metapontum. Without her proper worship, the Metapontines would risk crop failure and an end to their great prosperity. Thus, Demeter makes frequent appearances on Metapontine coins, as one might expect. In the sixth century BC, Metapontum became an important center for the political philosopher Pythagoras and his followers following their escape from Kroton. When Pythagoras died his house in Metapontum was consecrated as a new temple to Demeter.