Right Click image and select "Open/View image..." to enlarge Ancient Greek Coinage LUCANIA METAPONTION LUCANIA Metapontion 325-275 BC Silver Diobol 11mm, 0.90g. Obverse: Head of Athena right, wearing high-crested Corinthian helmet lifted back atop head. Reverse: META left; Barley ear with leaf to right; cornucopia above leaf. RARE ISSUE Featuring obverse copied from the Corinthian types favored by Greek mercenaries from the western Greek mainland - especially Akarnania and Epeiros - this coinage was struck by Metapontion to support the mercenary armies brought by Alexander the Molossian and Pyrrhos during their great "Italian adventures". Alexander I of Epirus "the Molossian" or "Alexander of Molossis" was a king of Epirus. As the son of Neoptolemus I and brother of Olympias (mother of Alexander the Great), Alexander I was an uncle of Alexander the Great. He was also an uncle of Pyrrhus of Epirus. Pyrrhus became famous for his "Pyrrhic victory" over the Romans. Pyrrhus was a second cousin of Alexander the Great. Ref. Johnston F21; SNG ANS 533-9; Nearly Extremely Fine; This is a very small coin shown greatly enlarged thus Nicer in hand! Excellent for the issue; bright untoned silver, brighter than images suggest (light coins photograph darker and dark coins appear lighter, generally). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Copyright 2016-2017 ZEUS GALLERY ID zeus_gallery . OUR GUARANTEE: All illustrations are of the actual item offered. The authenticity of all pieces is fully guaranteed. Any item ever shown otherwise may be returned unaltered for full refund less shipping. If any item purchased is not to your satisfaction you may return it unaltered within 30 days of purchase for a full refund less shipping. We also guarantee absolute discretion and confidentiality in all transactions.