Exquisite Art

CNG 109, Lot: 18. Estimate $7500. Sold for $10000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

LUCANIA, Metapontion. Circa 290-280 BC. AR Nomos (20mm, 7.95 g, 3h). Head of Herakles left, wearing tainia, lion skin around neck; club over far shoulder / Grain ear with leaf to right; META up left field; kantharos above leaf, BI below. Johnston Class D, 4.1 corr. (control letters on rev.; same dies); HN Italy 1621 corr. (same); Leu 61, lot 38 (same obv. die). EF, deeply toned, minor edge split. Very rare with head left, and among the finest known.

From the Gasvoda Collection. Ex Nomos 13 (7 October 2016), lot 115.

From the consignor: The artistic head of Herakles is executed in perfect style and must be the work of the master engraver of the mint at this time. The rarity of this coin cannot be overstated. This is certainly one of the highlights of the many great coins I have owned from Metapontion.