Nomos AG
Auction 25 20 Nov 2022
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CALABRIA. Tarentum. Circa 500-490 BC. Didrachm or nomos (Silver, 20 mm, 7.67 g, 1 h). Τ-Α-RΑ-Ϟ Phalanthos, nude, riding dolphin to right, his left arm outstretched to right and with his hand open, and holding behind him, in his left hand, an octopus; cable border. Rev. ΤΑ-RΑϞ (retrograde) Hippocamp to right; below, scallop; border of rays. Fischer-Bossert 37 (V15/R29). HN III 827. Vlasto 127/124 var. Rare. Toned and clear. Minor marks and traces of corrosion, otherwise, good very fine/extremely fine.
From a Swiss collection.
The dies for this coin were engraved by a real artist. We see, on the obverse, a very proud looking Phalanthos riding his dolphin, his left arm outstretched to front and his right, hanging behind him, clutching a lively octopus. But how did he get that octopus? Did he jump off the dolphin and shoot the octopus with a spear gun (not shown) or was he just able to grab it while the dolphin flashed through the sea? Or did that equally proud hippocamp we see on the reverse, scoop it up on a dive and swim up to present it to Phalanthos so that he would have something for lunch?
From a Swiss collection.
The dies for this coin were engraved by a real artist. We see, on the obverse, a very proud looking Phalanthos riding his dolphin, his left arm outstretched to front and his right, hanging behind him, clutching a lively octopus. But how did he get that octopus? Did he jump off the dolphin and shoot the octopus with a spear gun (not shown) or was he just able to grab it while the dolphin flashed through the sea? Or did that equally proud hippocamp we see on the reverse, scoop it up on a dive and swim up to present it to Phalanthos so that he would have something for lunch?