Own a Silver Stater from Ancient Metapontum

A real silver stater struck in the wealthy Greek city of Metapontum — famous throughout the ancient world for its fertile farmland and iconic barley-ear coinage.

Grade: Very Fine (VF)

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🏛 Struck in southern Italy over 2,300 years ago
🌾 Features the famous barley ear that symbolized the city's prosperity
⚖ One of the classic silver coin types of Magna Graecia
🤲 A genuine piece of Greek history you can hold

Own This Piece of History

Why This Coin Matters

This silver stater was struck in Metapontum, one of the most prosperous Greek colonies in southern Italy. Founded by Greek settlers during the era of colonization, the city became renowned for its rich agricultural lands and abundant harvests.

The symbol most closely associated with Metapontum was the barley ear, which appeared on the city's coinage for centuries. The image celebrated the fertile fields that made the city wealthy and helped supply grain throughout the Greek world. Few ancient cities embraced a civic symbol as consistently or as successfully as Metapontum.

Unlike many Greek coins that emphasized military victories or ruling dynasties, Metapontum's coinage highlighted the source of the city's prosperity: agriculture. The elegant barley-ear design became one of the most recognizable and enduring images in all of ancient Greek numismatics.

This coin was struck during the late Classical and early Hellenistic periods, an era that saw the rise of powerful kingdoms following the death of Alexander the Great. At the same time, Rome was steadily expanding its influence throughout the Italian peninsula, transforming the political landscape of the Mediterranean.

Collectors have long admired the silver staters of Metapontum for their beauty, historical importance, and distinctive design. The barley ear remains one of the most elegant and instantly recognizable motifs found on ancient Greek coinage.

Perfect For

• Ancient Greek coin collectors
• Collectors of Magna Graecia coinage
• Agricultural and economic history enthusiasts
• Fans of Classical Greek art
• Anyone seeking a historic Greek silver coin

What You'll Receive

• The exact silver stater shown
• Struck at Metapontum in Lucania, c. 330–280 BC
• Features the city's famous barley-ear design
• Ancient Greek silver stater denomination
• Over 2,300 years old
• Professionally authenticated and attributed

Buy with Confidence

• Guaranteed authentic ancient coin
• Carefully sourced and verified
• 30-day return policy
• Secure shipping from the U.S.

New to Ancient Coins?

The silver staters of Metapontum are among the most iconic coins of ancient Magna Graecia. Their celebrated barley-ear design tells the story of a city whose wealth came not from conquest, but from the fertile fields that sustained one of the most prosperous communities of the Greek world.