Description
Italy. Calabria. Tarentum. AR-Nomos (21 mm, 7.92 g, 5h). Struck circa 325-280 BC.
Obverse: Nude warrior, holding shield and two spears, stabbing with another spear held in his right hand, on horse galloping to right; E-Π-A around above, API below //
Reverse: Youthful Oecist, nude, riding dolphin to left, holding kantharos in his right hand and rudder in his left; above to left, ΚΛ.
Vlasto 634 (this obverse die); SNG ANS 1012 (these dies); Fischer-Bossert 931c (this coin); Historia Numorum Italy 939.
A coin of enchanting beauty, the work of a very talented master engraver. Superbly struck on an exceptionally fresh metal from stunningly detailed dies of fine style. A choice specimen with a beautiful iridescent tone. Almost invisible mark on obverse, otherwise good extremely fine.
Provenance Details
Ex Leu Auction 71, 24 October 1997, Lot 15.
Ex Künker Auction 333, 16 March 2020, Lot 658. From the collection of a North German antiquity enthusiast.
Ex NAC Auction 150, 2 September 2024, Lot 508. From the 'England' and a Scandinavian private collection.
Comment
The cavalry of the Tarentines was renowned throughout the entire Greek World. The Tarentine aristocracy was especially proud of this reputation, which is clearly reflected on the coins of the Tarentines. The obverse of this piece shows a rider on horseback, elegantly practicing his fighting skills.
The scene on the reverse is dedicated to the founding myth of the city of Tarentum. The identity of the rider of the dolphin is still being debated; one belief is that it could have been Taras, the son of Poseidon and the nymph Satyrion. According to legend, Taras was thrown into the sea during a shipwreck. His father then sent a dolphin to rescue him, and at the place where he came ashore, he founded the city of Tarentum, which is named after him. However, it could also have been Phalanthus, the leader of a group from Sparta. According to legend, Phalanthus also suffered a shipwreck and was brought ashore by a dolphin.
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