Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 134 21 Nov 2022
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Greek Coins. Calabria, Tarentum.
Nomos circa 510-450, AR 7.40 g. [TA]RAΣ retrograde Dolphin rider r., l. arm extended; below, pecten. Rev. The same type l. incuse. Vlasto 68 (these dies). Fischer-Bossert 16. Gorini 3. Historia Numorum Italy 826.
Rare. An interesting issue of fine Archaic style well-centred
on a full flan. Good very fine
Dating from the late sixth century, this nomos shows a dolphin rider naked, probably Phalanthus, expressing a motif destined for popular success in the coins of Taras: the dolphin brings Phalanthus safe and sound across the sea (also evidenced by the presence of a pecten in the lower field of the coin), and conveys him to Italy, according to the dictate of the Delphic oracle. We learn from the Periegesis of Greece of Pausania (II cent. A.D.) that statues of Taras, Phalanthus, and Phalanthus' dolphin (cf. Paus. X 13) were among the votive offerings (anathemata) presented to Delphi by the Tarantines with a fifth of the spoils taken from the Peucetii and the Iapygians. The reverse has the same representation as the obverse, in incuse, using a well-known technique of early coinage that was deployed at many other Southern Italian cities besides Taras.
Nomos circa 510-450, AR 7.40 g. [TA]RAΣ retrograde Dolphin rider r., l. arm extended; below, pecten. Rev. The same type l. incuse. Vlasto 68 (these dies). Fischer-Bossert 16. Gorini 3. Historia Numorum Italy 826.
Rare. An interesting issue of fine Archaic style well-centred
on a full flan. Good very fine
Dating from the late sixth century, this nomos shows a dolphin rider naked, probably Phalanthus, expressing a motif destined for popular success in the coins of Taras: the dolphin brings Phalanthus safe and sound across the sea (also evidenced by the presence of a pecten in the lower field of the coin), and conveys him to Italy, according to the dictate of the Delphic oracle. We learn from the Periegesis of Greece of Pausania (II cent. A.D.) that statues of Taras, Phalanthus, and Phalanthus' dolphin (cf. Paus. X 13) were among the votive offerings (anathemata) presented to Delphi by the Tarantines with a fifth of the spoils taken from the Peucetii and the Iapygians. The reverse has the same representation as the obverse, in incuse, using a well-known technique of early coinage that was deployed at many other Southern Italian cities besides Taras.