Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Auction 123 23-24 May 2023
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CARIA, Iasos. Circa 250-190 BC. AR Drachm (19.5mm, 5.44 g, 1h). Persic standard. Euanthous, magistrate. Laureate head of Apollo right / Boy holding on to dolphin swimming right. Ashton, Pre-Imperial, p. 55, 8 var. (A–/P8 [unlisted obv. die]); HN Online –; SNG München 241 (same obv. die). Toned, spot of die rust and a few tiny flan flaws on obverse. Good VF. Very rare with this magistrate.
Tales of humans interacting with dolphins occur frequently in Greek lore, and often on coins, most famously those of Tarentum in southern Italy, which depict the hero Taras (or Phalanthos) being rescued by a dolphin. The tale depicted on this issue of Iasos is rather more poignant. Hermias, a Greek youth of Iasos, is said to have taken a swim in the ocean each day after training at the gymnasium. On one such occasion, a dolphin swam up to him and allowed him to clasp his dorsal fin. The two became fast friends and the dolphin waited in the ocean each day for Hermias to dive in and go for a ride. One sad day, Hermias drowned (perhaps accidentally pierced by the dolphin's fin). The dolphin pulled him back to shore, but the boy could not be revived. Disconsolate, the dolphin beached himself next to the boy and expired.
Tales of humans interacting with dolphins occur frequently in Greek lore, and often on coins, most famously those of Tarentum in southern Italy, which depict the hero Taras (or Phalanthos) being rescued by a dolphin. The tale depicted on this issue of Iasos is rather more poignant. Hermias, a Greek youth of Iasos, is said to have taken a swim in the ocean each day after training at the gymnasium. On one such occasion, a dolphin swam up to him and allowed him to clasp his dorsal fin. The two became fast friends and the dolphin waited in the ocean each day for Hermias to dive in and go for a ride. One sad day, Hermias drowned (perhaps accidentally pierced by the dolphin's fin). The dolphin pulled him back to shore, but the boy could not be revived. Disconsolate, the dolphin beached himself next to the boy and expired.