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Stater
| Issuer | Metapontion |
|---|---|
| Year | 520 BC - 510 BC |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | A finely rendered ear of barley with eight grains occupies the full field in high relief, the head inclining slightly to the right and the stalk tapering toward the lower edge. The grain kernels are depicted with careful naturalistic detail, characteristic of the early Archaic incuse coinage of Magna Graecia. The inscription ΜΕΤΑ appears in the field, denoting the issuing city of Metapontion. The design is framed by a border of dots set between two concentric incised linear circles, creating a precise and elegant decorative surround. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | ΜΕΤΑ (Translation: Metapontion) |
| Reverse description | An ear of barley with eight grains rendered entirely in incuse relief, mirroring the obverse design in a sunken, recessed format — the hallmark of the early Achaean-style coinage of Magna Graecia. The stalk and grain head are faithfully reproduced in intaglio, the surrounding field exhibiting the characteristic radiate or rayed border formed by fine incised lines emanating from the central motif. The incuse technique, in which the design is the exact negative impression of the obverse, reflects the sophisticated die-cutting practice attributed to the Pythagorean or Achaean monetary tradition of southern Italy in the late sixth century BC. |
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