Etruria, Populonia AR 20 Asses. Circa 300-250 BC. Facing head of Metus with curly hair and winged torque-like diadem over head; X X (mark of value) below / Blank. EC I, 62 (O49); HN Italy 152; HGC 1, 109. 7.73g, 23mm.

About Extremely Fine. Very Rare; EC I records that only ten examples are known from this die.

From the Vitangelo Collection.

While the winged head of Medusa is a common convention in later Greek art, it is quite unusual in this context.

Stylistically and iconographically, this series stands well apart from the rest of the Second Metus Group. In terms of the artistry employed, the semi-circular pellet-in-ringlets and curved, pelleted diadem above the head lend an almost Celtic quality to the style of the work; the addition of the small wings above the head represent an abrupt departure from the more archaizing heads that preceded this issue, which should certainly be considered to be in the first rank of surviving Etruscan coinage; it is a bold and fresh take on an extensive series, and of great aesthetic quality.