Lucania. Metapontion. Time of Kleonymos, circa 302 BC. Tetrobol or Third Stater (Gold, 14.03 mm, 2.63 g), Head of Nike facing slightly to right, hair in ampyx, wearing single-pendant earring and necklace. Rev. [ME]TAΠON Barley ear with six grains and leaf to right; above, two-handled krater. Johnston G4. SNG ANS 396. SNG Lockett 405. Basel 152. Gulbenkian 71. Gillet 204. (all from the same dies). HN Italy 1629. HGC-1, 1023. Beautiful portrait struck in high relief. Small edge split, otherwise, Choice Extremely Fine. Very Rare. From a Swiss collection, formed before 2005. The dating of this magnificent coin is debated, with estimates ranging from 290-280 BC to the more precise year of 302 BC. The latter date ties the coin to the Italian campaigns of Kleonymos, a Spartan general from the Agiad dynasty. Kleonymos, rejected as successor to his father Kleomenes II due to his unpopular rule, sought refuge in Italy around 303/2 BC. He supported the Spartan colony of Tarentum against the Lucanians and captured the Greek city of Metapontion in 302 BC. This stunning coin may have been struck to commemorate his brief victory. Kleonymos's turbulent career continued for three more decades, ending with his failed attempt to conquer Sparta in 272 BC, after which he vanished from historical records.