Triton XX, Lot: 28. Estimate $10000. Sold for $15000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

LUCANIA, Metapontion. temp. Kleonymos. Circa 302 BC. AV Tetrobol – Third Stater (14mm, 2.60 g, 9h). Achaian standard. Head of Nike facing slightly right, hair in ampyx, wearing single-pendant earring and necklace; NIKA to right / Barley ear with six grains and leaf to right; METAΠON up left field. Johnston G3 (same dies as illustration); HN Italy 1629; SNG ANS –; SNG Lloyd –; Dewing –; Gulbenkian 71 (same dies); Hunt –; Kraay & Hirmer 245 (same dies). Near EF, underlying luster, minor double strike on reverse. Fine and delicate style.

From the collection of a Northern California Gentleman. Ex Edward J. Waddell Inventory C39995 (June 2003); Leu 45 (26 May 1988), lot 15; Hess-Leu 28 (5 May 1965), lot 25.

The lovely facing female head on this rare issue was traditionally described as either Demeter or Persephone, the typical female deities on Metapontion's coinage, until a hoard discovered in the 1960s revealed this variety with the declarative inscription NIKA. This unusual feature, as well as the overall treatment and choice of the design, has led to the suggestion that it may be part of a special donative issue for Kleonymos of Sparta, who exacted a heavy indemnity from the people of Metapontion for foregoing the opportunity to sack the city (see Johnston, p. 3).