26 Centuries of Gold
334-331 BC Metapontum
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Coin Details
| Origin/Country: |
ANCIENT - GREEK CIVIC (7th CENT BC - 1st CENT AD) LUCANIA, METAPONTUM c.335-330 BC |
| Item Description: |
AV Third-Stater Lucania, Metapontum Molossian. Hera/grain ear Issue under Alexander the |
| Full Grade: |
NGC VF Strike: 5/5 Surface: 2/5 |
| Owner: |
deposito |
Owner Comments:
LUCANIA. Metapontion. Time of Alexander the Molossian, circa 334-331/0 BC. Tetrobol or Third Stater (Gold, 13 mm, 2.58 g, 10 h), Achaian standard. Head of Hera to right, wearing stephanos ornamented with palmettes and single-pendant earring. Rev. METAÎ ON Barley ear with leaf to right; above leaf, bird standing right. Johnston G1. HN Italy 1578. SNG ANS 395. Very rare. Minor marks and light scratches, otherwise, very fine. Bent according to NGC.
Pythagoras retired in Metapontum and his house was maintained as a museum to the philosopher until at least the time of Cicero 260 years after this coin was struck.
I only find 16 others of these on ACSearch back to 2001.
As Alexander the Molossian lay dying on an Italian battlefield he was told about one of his cousin Alexander the Great's victories over the Persians. "He fights with women" said the Molossian.