The present invention provides novel basic metallic salts of dithiocarbamic acid, in which the content of the basic ingredient (=a.times.3.times.100) is 30-100 mol %, represented by general formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 to R.sup.4, which may be the same or different, are each a lipophilic group having 1-30 carbon atoms, M is a metal atom selected from the group consisting of zinc, copper, nickel, iron, cadmium, silver, lead, antimony, tin, and bismuth, and "a" is a coefficient of 1/3 to 1/10, said basic metallic salts of dithiocarbamic acid containing no phosphorus atoms and imparting low-wear properties when used as an additive for lubricating oils. The present invention also provides lubricating oil compositions containing in a lubricating base oil said basic metal salt of dithiocarbamic acid, which compositions are excellent in wear-resistant properties and frictional characteristics and suitable as a lubricating oil for automotive internal combustion engines.