Diobol (Coin) Depicting an Ear of Grain
Ancient Greek
-500–-473
- Medium
- Silver
- Dimensions
- Diam.: 1.3 cm (9/16 in.)
- Genre
- coin
- Museum
- Art Institute of Chicago
Styles
Tags
archaic (greek)silverwheatanimalscoininorganic materialancient artnonferrous metalstriking (metalworking)metal
About
The front (obverse) of this coin depicts an ear of barley. The back (reverse) depicts a bull with its head and horns facing downwards. A fillet, or headband, adorns its brow. Metapontum became wealthy through farming rather than trade. By illustrating the ear of grain on its coins, the city-state reminded its trading partners of its agricultural abundance.
