LUCANIA. Metapontion. Approximately 400-340 BC. Nomos (Silver, 21 mm, 7.64 g, 4 h). Laureate head of Apollo (?) to right; on neck truncation, ΑΙοΑ; below, θ. Rev. META Barley ear with leaf to right. HN Italy 1534. Jameson 300 (same this). Noe 461. SNG ANS 349 (same this). SNG Ashmolean 708 (same this). Rare. A lovely and unusually well preserved example with beautiful iridescent toning and a particularly fine head of Apollo (?). Faint scratches and with some minor roughness on the upper, otherwise, about extremely fine. From the collection of a European Conoisseur, formed before 2002, Morton & Eden 124, 26 September 2023, 38, ex Tradart, 17 November 1994, 5, Leu 48, 10 May 1989, 17 and Hess-Leu 36, 17 April 1968, 27. The meaning of the tiny description ΑΙοΑ on the neck truncation of the obverse of this rare coin, with its impressive pedigree, remains disputed. Some scholars interpret it as a reference to the god, suggesting that the engraver sought to distinguish it from the usual detection of Demeter, which typically appeals on the coins of Metapontum, while others believe it to be the artists own signature. It is possible that both interpretations are correct, as the youngful, laureate head likely represent Apollo. However, the discreet placement of the name on the neck truncation strongly suggest a personal connection with the artist. If the engraver的s intention had merely been to identify the god by name, he could have placed the description in a more prominent location. Thus, it is conceivable that the engraver, named Apoll..., referred himself in two ways: first, through the hidden signature ΑΙΦΑ, and second, by depicting not Demeter, the principal deity of Metapontum, but his patron god, Apollo. This lot can be shipped to a US address.