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CALABRIA, TARAS (TARENTUM) - TIME OF KING ARISTOPHILIDES - AR Nomos or tridrachm, circa 510-490 BC
weight 8,05gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.
obv. Phalanthos, nude, riding dolphin to right, his left arm outstretched
to right with his hand open, and holding behind him, in his right hand,
an octopus, T A P A ≀ around, all within cable border.
rev. Hippocamp to right, below scallop, T A P A ≀ anti-clockwise around,
all within border of rays.
Taras was founded in 706 BC by Dorian immigrants as the only Spartan colony, and its origin is peculiar: the founders were Partheniae, sons of unmarried Spartan women and perioeci (free men, but not citizens of Sparta); these unions were decreed by the Spartans to increase the number of soldiers (only the citizens of Sparta could become soldiers) during the bloody First Messenian War, but later they were nullified, and the sons were forced to leave. According to the legend Phalanthus, the Parthenian leader, went to Delphi to consult the oracle and received the puzzling answer that he should found a city where rain fell from a clear sky. After all attempts to capture a suitable place to found a colony failed, he became despondent, convinced that the oracle had told him something that was impossible, and was consoled by his wife. She laid his head in her lap and herself became disconsolate. When Phalanthus felt her tears splash onto his forehead he at last grasped the meaning of the oracle, for his wife′s name meant clear sky. The harbour of a settlement in Calabria was nearby and he decided this must be the new home for the exiles. The Partheniae arrived and founded the city, naming it Taras after the son of the Greek sea god, Poseidon, and the local nymph Satyrion. Symbol of the Greek is Phalanthos riding a dolphin. Taras increased its power, becoming a commercial power and a sovereign city of Magna Graecia, ruling over the Greek colonies in southern Italy.
We know that circa 492 BC Aristophilides was King of Taras. He had good contacts with the city of Knidos and with King Darius the Great of Persia. It is likely that this nomos was minted during his reign.
This is a remarkably well-preserved example of an early stater (nomos) of Taras. The obverse figure of Phalanthos is a true masterpiece of late archaic/early classical Greek art; not surprising since Taras was, of course, a major center for the production of art objects of all kinds, especially metal work (the Vix Krater is believed to have been made there a few decades before this coin was struck). Very rare.
cf. Nomos, auction16, 10 may 2018, lot 10 (good vf SFR 15.000 + 20%)
BMC 44var. ; SNG.Copenhagen 774var. ; SNG.Paris 1577-1578var. ;
Vlasto 116-117var. ; SNG.München 602var. ; McClean 536var. ;
Fischer-Bossert 55 (same dies) ; Historia Numorum, Italy 827 RR
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CALABRIA, TARAS (TARENTUM) - AR 1/10 Nomos or litra, circa 500-480 BC
weight 0,52gr. ; silver Ø 9mm.
obv. Scallop-shell within dotted circle
rev. Wheel of four spokes in deep round incuse
The weight of this coin is rather low as the official weight of the litra is 0,78 gram. It approaches more the weight of the obol, which has the official weight of 0,65 gram. In principle, this coin type with scallop-shell on the obverse and wheel on the reverse is fairly standard. However, this specimen is completely different in style and design from the published examples. The shell looks a bit more primitive in style, while the wheel does not show the usual dot in the center and is also situated in a deep round incusum. Unpublished and extremely rare.
BMC - (cf. 56) ; SNG.Copenhagen - (cf. 784) ; SNG.München - (cf. 715-717) ;
SNG.ANS.- (cf. 1328) ; SNG.Oxford - (cf. 219) ; McClean - (cf. 532) ;
SNG.Paris- (cf. 1613) ; Vlasto- (cf. 1108-1116) ; Côte - (cf. 7-10) ;
Jameson - (cf. 84) ; SNG.Delepierre - (cf. 188) ; HGC.- (cf. 8420 ;
Historia Numorum Italy - (cf. 835) RRRR
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CALABRIA, TARAS (TARENTUM) - AR Nomos or tridrachm, circa 480-460 BC
weight 8,05gr. ; silver Ø 21mm.
obv. Phalanthos seated on dolphin left, arms extended, TARA≀ behind,
scallop-shell below, within dotted circle
rev. Hippocamp (sea-horse) left, with curled wing, within shallow round incuse
BMC - (cf. 49) ; SNG.Copenhagen 776 ; Vlasto 133 ; SNG.München - ;
SNG.Paris 1600 ; SNG.ANS.840 ; SNG. Klagenfurt 158 ; McClean - ;
cf. Historia Numorum Italy 827 ; Côte 32 ; Jameson- ; SNG.Delepierre- ;
SNG.Tübingen- ; Weber collection 522 ; Fischer-Bossert 109 ; Sear- ;
cf. HGC.1, 753 RR
Minor flan crack. Wonderful specimen of this difficult issue. Very rare.
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CALABRIA, TARAS (TARENTUM) - AR Nomos or tridrachm, circa 460-440 BC
weight 7,50gr. ; silver Ø 22mm.
obv. Phalanthos seated on dolphin right, both arms outstretched,
below, pecten, TARAΣ (retrograde) in left field, within dotted circle
rev. Taras Oikistes seated left on diphros, holding distaff in right hand and
scepter in left, uncertain symbol beneath seat, all within olive wreath
The Iapygians defeated the Tarantines and Rhegians in 473 BC. The Tarantine aristocracy was annihilated and after establishing democracy in Taras in 466 BC a new coin type was introduced, with Phalanthos on the obverse and a seated Taras Oikistes on the reverse. The new coin type is symbolic of the ensuing democracy. The olive wreath of the reverse establishing correspondence with the similar issue struck at Rhegion to commemorate the triumph of democracy there, probably with Tarantine help, in 466 BC. The “democratic” class overlapped other issues and was finally superseded by the equestrian (horseman) type round 440 BC. Very rare.
BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen - (cf. 779) ; cf. Vlasto 176 ; cf. Côte 65 ;
SNG.München - ; SNG.Paris 1656 ; Fischer-Bossert 137var. ; Jameson - ;
Historia Numorum Italy 845 ; McClean 550 ; HGC.759 (R2) RR
Small test cut on the reverse.
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CALABRIA, TARAS (TARENTUM) - AR Nomos or tridrachm, circa 460-440 BC
weight 7,56gr. ; silver Ø 23mm.
obv. Phalanthos seated on dolphin left, both arms outstretched,
below, pecten (scallop-shell), within dotted circle
rev. Taras Oikistes seated left on diphros, holding staff and spindle
The Iapygians defeated the Tarantines and Rhegians in 473 BC. The Tarantine aristocracy was annihilated and after establishing democracy in Taras in 466 BC a new coin type was introduced, with Phalanthos on the obverse and a seated Taras Oikistes on the reverse. The new coin type is symbolic of the ensuing democracy. The “democratic” class overlapped other issues and was finally superseded by the equestrian (horseman) type round 440 BC.
Planchetfault on the edge, but otherwise unusual nice for the issue.
Toned and of superb early classical style. Very rare.
cf. NAC, auction 132, Lot 156 in xf- (SFR 13.000 + 22%)
BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen- (cf.780) ; Vlasto 191 ; SNG.München 607 ;
SNG.Paris 1673 ; SNG.ANS.849 ; Cambridge, SNG.Lewis 123 ; HGC 1, 758 ;
cf. Historia Numorum, Italy 844 ; Fischer-Boschert 183 ; McClean 553 RR
Planchetfault on the edge, but otherwise in unusual good condition for the issue.
Toned and of great early classical style. Very rare.
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CALABRIA, TARAS (TARENTUM) - AR Nomos or tridrachm, circa 460-440 BC
weight 6,13gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.
obv. Phalanthos seated on dolphin right, arms extended, beneath scallop-shell
rev. Taras Oekistos seated right, holding distaff and kantharos,
behind T ( A P A ≀ ), below chair Y
The Iapygians defeated the Tarantines and Rhegians in 473 BC. The Tarantine aristocracy was annihilated and after establishing democracy in Taras in 466 BC a new coin type was introduced, with Phalanthos on the obverse and a seated Taras Oikistes on the reverse. The new coin type is symbolic of the ensuing democracy. The “democratic” class overlapped other issues and was finally superseded by the equestrian (horseman) type round 440 BC. Extremely rare.
BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.Paris 1606var. ; Vlasto 169var. ; SNG.München- ;
Fischer-Bossert 121var. ; cf. Historia Numorum, Italy 843 ; cf. HGC 757 (R3) RRR
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CALABRIA, TARAS (TARENTUM) - AR Nomos or tridrachm, circa 440-425 BC
weight 7,84gr. ; silver Ø 24mm.
obv. Phalanthos on dolphin right, left arm extended,
scallop-shell beneath, around TAPANTINΩN
rev. Naked horseman (ephebe) right, right arm extended
BMC- ; Vlasto 271 ; Fischer-Boschert 233 ; SNG.Lloyd 149 ;
SNG.Fitzwilliam 249 ; Evans type E.1 ; SNG.Copenhagen- (cf. 799) ;
SNG.Paris- (cf. 1678) ; cf. Historia Numorum, Italy 847 (2) ; Sear- ;
cf. Ars Classica Auction 64, 17 May 2012, lot 622 (vf/xf CHF 5.500 + 17,5%) RR
Minor traces of oxidation. Very rare type.
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CALABRIA, TARAS (TARENTUM) - AR Obol or Pentonkion, circa 450-380 BC
weight 0,53gr. ; silver 9mm.
obv. Diademed head of Athena to right, set on her circular aegis
rev. Kantharos, flanked by 5 pellets (value marks), TA above
BMC 431var. ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; Historia Numorum, Italy, 859 ;
SNG.Paris 2082 ; SNG.München- ; Jameson 131 ; Vlasto 1216-1217 RR
(cf. Nomos, auction 17, 26 october 2018, lot. 6 in vf; SFR 900 + 20%)
Very minor traces of oxidation.
Coin of excellent style. Very rare.
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CALABRIA, TARAS (TARENTUM) - AR Triante or 1/3 obol, circa 450-380 BC
weight 0,29gr.; silver Ø 6mm.
obv. Female head (Satyra ?) left
rev. Three T′s connected at the bottom, three dots in between
In the early minting of Taras, when copper money was not yet standard in use, a number of very small silver denominations were minted. Thus we know from the 5th century BC. the Tritertemorion (3/4 obol), the hemiobol (1/2 obol), the triante (1/3 obol), the hexane (1/6 obol) and the hemilitra (1/2 litra). The coin offered here is a triante or 1/3 obole. It differs from the known triantes and we have not found a single specimen in the relevant reference literature. For the time being, this coin seems to be unique and of great importance for Tarantine coinage.
BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.Paris- ; Jameson- ; Vlasto - ;
SNG.Tübingen- ; SNG.München- ; McClean- ; Côte- ;
Historia Numorum Italy - ; Sear - ; HGC 1 -- RRRR
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CALABRIA, TARAS (TARENTUM) - AR Diobol, circa 380-325 BC
weight 1,11gr. ; silver 11mm.
obv. Head of Athena right, wearing crested Athenean helmet
decorated with Skylla right, throwing a stone
rev. Herakles kneeling right, strangling Nemean lion with his hands,
unclear symbol ( flying owl ?) above lion, club behind
BMC 334var. ; SNG.Copenhagen 976-977var. ; SNG.München 744-747var. ;
SNG.Paris 2106var. ; Vlasto 1320-1324var. ; Côte collection 298var. ;
Jameson 124var. ; SNG.Delepierre 213var. ; cf. Historia Numorum Italy, 911 ;
SNG.Oxford 490-492var. ; SNG.ANS.1411-1416var. ; SNG.Hungary 144var. ;
cf. McClean 705 ; SNG.Tübingen- ; cf. HGC.1, 834 ; Sear 351var. RR
Attractive specimen with good details. Very rare.
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CALABRIA, TARAS (TARENTUM) - AR Nomos or tridrachm, 340-332 BC - MASTERPIECE
weight 7,89gr. ; silver Ø 21mm.
obv. Naked horseman on prancing horse right, lancing downwards
with right hand, behind large round shield and two more lances
rev. Phalanthos on dolphin right, holding crested helmet between his hands,
with his head slightly bowed towards it, on either side an eight rayed star
For the coinage of nomoi in name of the magistrate “KAL” the artist die engraver made some of the finest dies ever produced in Magna Graecia. This didrachme is regarded as one of the most artistically masterful and beautiful of all Tarentine nomoi, of spendid late classical style. Excellent almost uncirculated obverse, reverse struck with worn dies. Very rare.
cf. Nomos, auction 3, Zurich 10 Mai 2011, no.4 (in xf: CHF 100.000 + 18%)
BMC- (cf. 213) ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; Vlasto 543 ; Fischer-Bossert 773d ;
SNG.Paris 1770 ; SNG.ANS.968 ; McClean 592 ; Kraay-Hirmer 311 ;
Evans IV.H.2 ; Historia Numorum Italy 896 ; Jameson 138 ; HGC 1, 794 (R2) RR
unc-/xf-
weight 7,89gr. ; silver Ø 21mm.
obv. Naked horseman on prancing horse right, lancing downwards
with right hand, behind large round shield and two more lances
rev. Phalanthos on dolphin right, holding crested helmet between his hands,
with his head slightly bowed towards it, on either side an eight rayed star
For the coinage of nomoi in name of the magistrate “KAL” the artist die engraver made some of the finest dies ever produced in Magna Graecia. This didrachme is regarded as one of the most artistically masterful and beautiful of all Tarentine nomoi, of spendid late classical style. Excellent almost uncirculated obverse, reverse struck with worn dies. Very rare.
cf. Nomos, auction 3, Zurich 10 Mai 2011, no.4 (in xf: CHF 100.000 + 18%)
BMC- (cf. 213) ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; Vlasto 543 ; Fischer-Bossert 773d ;
SNG.Paris 1770 ; SNG.ANS.968 ; McClean 592 ; Kraay-Hirmer 311 ;
Evans IV.H.2 ; Historia Numorum Italy 896 ; Jameson 138 ; HGC 1, 794 (R2) RR
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CALABRIA, TARAS (TARENTUM) - AR 1/10 Stater or Litra, circa 325-280 BC
weight 0,58gr. ; silver Ø 11mm.
obv. Scallop shell
rev. Dolphin right, Ξ and aphlaston below
Aphlaston - The upward curving stern of an ancient warship.
Also called an apluster (or aplustre).
Naval warfare played a vital role in the development of many ancient empires and city-states from as early as the 12th century BC. Athens owed much of its dominance in the 5th century BC to its supreme naval force, and many empires prospered and declined dependent upon this military division. Carthage, for example, was a mighty Mediterranean empire for over 500 years which thrived thanks to its famed naval warships from the 8th to the 3rd centuries BC. It would eventually take an ambitious Roman Republic to build and ultimately overthrow this naval superpower with their own army of warships in the early 2nd century BC.
The importance of naval operations in the ancient world led to many representations on coinage. One naval symbol appears often on these types: the aphlaston. The aphlaston, or aplustre, was a component of the ancient warship that was understood as an abstract form of a bird with multiple beaks facing inward from the stern. This high fan shaped ornament of carved and decorated wood appeared first in its developed form in the 5th century BC. The bird′s eye was usually enlarged which created a shield like appearance at the base of the symbol. A flag pole was attached to the side of it which showed the helmsman the exact direction of the wind. When the galleys surged into war, the sails were always drawn in, leaving the prominent aphlaston as a dominant feature of the craft. It became the hallmark of the warships in the Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods. The symbol was understood to have magical powers in its ability to protect or guard the ship. This type with Ξ and aphlaston on the reverse seems to be unpublished in the important reference literature. Extremely rare.
BMC - ; Vlasto - ; Côte - ; SNG.Tübingen- ; McClean - ; cf. Sear 355 ;
SNG.Copenhagen - ; SNG.Delepierre- ; cf. Historia Numorum, Italy 979 ;
SNG.Paris - ; SNG.München- ; cf. HGC 1, 846 RRR
very minor scratches
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CALABRIA, TARAS (TARENTUM) - AR 1/10 Stater or Litra, circa 325-280 BC
weight 0,51gr. ; silver Ø 10mm.
obv. Scallop shell
rev. Dolphin right, LE-monogram above, monogram below
BMC - ; Vlasto - ; Côte - ; SNG.Tübingen- ; McClean - ; cf. Sear 355 ;
SNG.Copenhagen - ; SNG.Delepierre - ; Historia Numorum, Italy 979 ;
SNG.Paris - ; SNG.München 777var. ; HGC 1, 846 RRR
Very attractive. Extremely rare.
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CALABRIA, TARAS (TARENTUM) - AR Hemilitron or tritartemorion, circa 325-280 BC
weight 0,31gr.; silver Ø 8,5mm.
obv. Head of horse right
rev. Head of horse right, in front star of eight
BMC- (cf.424) ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.Paris- ; Jameson- ;
Vlasto 1707 ; SNG.Tübingen- ; SNG.München- ; McClean- ;
Côte- ; cf. Historia Numorum, Italy 1075 ; Sear - (cf. 358) RR
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CALABRIA, TARAS (TARENTUM) - AR Hemiobol or 1/3 litra, circa 325-280 BC
weight 0,20gr. ; silver Ø 7mm.
obv. Two crescents back to back, pellet at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o′clock
rev. Two crescents back to back, pellet at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o′clock
BMC 458 ; Vlasto 1766-1770 ; SNG.Copenhagen 1081var. ; Côte- (cf. 340) ;
SNG.Paris 2247-2248 ; SNG.Delepierre- (cf. 275) ; SNG.Tübingen- (cf. 419) ;
SNG.München - (cf. 796) ; Historia Numorum, Italy 1077 ;
McClean - (cf. 778) ; Jameson- (cf. 215-216) ; HGC 1, - (cf. 873) R
Light corrodued surfaces. Rare.
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CALABRIA, TARAS (TARENTUM) - DAKIMOS, magistrate - AR Nomos or tridrachm, circa 302-280 BC
weight 7,46gr. ; silver Ø 20mm.
obv. Naked man seated on prancing horse to right, brandishingspear
with right hand and holding and two more spears in left, Σ I to left,
ΔAKIMOΣ below
rev. Naked Phalanthos on dolphin left, with stretched right arm,
and holding cornucopiae in left, TAPAΣ in field to right, ΔA below
At the time of Vlasto only one 1 example was known. Very rare.
BMC- ; SNG.München- ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; Fischer-Bossert - ;
Vlasto 696 (“presumed unique”) ; Historia Numorum, Italy 967 ;
SNG.Paris- ; SNG.ANS.1071 ; HGC.816 (R2) RR
Minor traces of oxidation on obverse.
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CALABRIA, TARAS (TARENTUM) - ALEXANDROU, magistrate - AR Nomos or tridrachm, circa 302-280 BC
weight 7,78gr. ; silver Ø 22mm.
obv. Youth on horse galloping right, EY behind, AΛEΞAN below
rev. Naked Phalanthos on dolphin left, holding kantharos in right arm,
and distaff in left, TAPAΣ above, ΣI below
Coin of great elegance and style, made by an artist diecutter.
At the time of Vlasto only 1 specimen was known. Very rare.
BMC- ; Vlasto 697 (″probably unique″) ; SNG.Paris- ; Fischer-Bossert- ;
Côte- ; SNG.München- ; McClean- ; Historia Numorum, Italy 971 ;
Evans VI, D4 ; HGC.819 RR
Slightly worn obverse dies. Wonderful coin with fine details. Near mintstate.
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CALABRIA, TARAS - ARETHON, magistrate - AR Nomos of tridrachm, circa 302-280 BC
weight 7,96gr. ; silver Ø 21mm.
obv. Naked boy seated on horse standing right, which he crowns
with his right hand, in upper field to left ΣA, below APE / ΘΩN
rev. Naked Phalanthos seated on dolphin left, holding tripod in right hand,
his left hand resting on back of dolphin, TAPAΣ on right, CAΣ below
BMC 149 ; SNG.Copenhagen 862 ; SNG.Oxford 297-298 ; SNG.München 655 ;
SNG.ANS.1046 ; Vlasto 666 ; SNG.Paris 1869 ; SNG.Milano 150 ; Jameson 169 ;
McClean 614 ; Evans VI, A.1 ; HGC. 813 ; Historia Numorum, Italy 957
A bit soft obverse strike, but magnificent reverse. Nearly as struck. Excellent style.
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CALABRIA, TARAS (TARENTUM) - ARETHON, magistrate - AR Nomos of tridrachm, circa 302-280 BC
weight 7,45gr. ; silver Ø 20mm.
obv. Naked boy seated on horse standing right, which he crowns
with his right hand, in upper field to left ΣA, below APE / ΘΩN
rev. Naked Phalanthos seated on dolphin left, holding tripod in right hand,
his left hand resting on back of dolphin, TAPAΣ on right, CAΣ below
BMC 149 ; SNG.Copenhagen 862 ; SNG.Oxford 297-298 ; SNG.München 655 ;
SNG.ANS.1046 ; Vlasto 666 ; SNG.Paris 1869 ; SNG.Milano 150 ; Jameson 169 ;
McClean 614 ; Evans VI, A.1 ; HGC. 813 ; Historia Numorum, Italy 957
Very minor traces of oxidation. A bit soft strike, but hardly circulated.
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CALABRIA, TARAS (TARENTUM) - PHILIARCHOS, magistrate - AR Nomos or tridrachm, circa 302-280 BC
weight 7,86gr. ; silver Ø 20mm.
obv. Naked boy seated on horse standing right, which he crowns
with his right hand, in upper field to left ΣA, below ΦIΛI APXOΣ
rev. Naked Phalanthos seated on dolphin left, holding bunch of grapes,
TAPAΣ on right, AΓA below
BMC 131 ; SNG.Copenhagen 865 ; SNG.Oxfold 300 ; SNG.München 656 ;
SNG.ANS.1051 ; SNG.Milano 149 ; Evans VI,A.3 ; Vlasto 673 ; SNG.Paris 1871
Historia Numorum, Italy 960 ; Jameson- ; HGC 813
Wonderful coin of fine classical style.
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CALABRIA, TARAS (TARENTUM)- AR Drachm, 302-280 BC
weight 3,05gr. ; silver Ø 16mm.
obv. Head of Athena right, wearing crested Athenean helmet,
on which Skylla hurling stone, wearing single drop earring, hair long
rev. Owl standing right, head facing, on olive-branch,
TAP in left field, IOP in right field
BMC 309 ; SNG.Copenhagen 952 ; Vlasto 1047 ; SNG.München- ;
SNG.ANS.1303 ; SNG.Paris 1939 ; Côte 348 ; McClean 622 ;
Jameson - ; SNG.Delepierre 226-227 ; Historia Numorum Italy 975 ;
SNG.Tübingen- ; HGC 1, 823
Beautiful coin of fine classical style. Delightfully toned. Hard to find this nice.
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CALABRIA, TARAS (TARENTUM) - CAMPANO-TARENTINE ALLIANCE COINAGE (MONETARY ALLIANCE WITH NEAPOLIS) - AR Nomos or Didrachm, 281-228 BC
weight 7,17gr. ; silver Ø 20mm.
obv. Diademed head of nymph left, wearing earring and necklace
rev. Naked boy seated on horse pacing right, holding laurel-wreath
over horse′s head, dolphin left and TA beneath, star left above
BMC 288 ; Vlasto 1036 ; SNG.Paris 1975 ; SNG.Oxford 432-436 ;
SNG.Copenhagen 904 ; cf. SNG.Tübingen 411 ; SNG.ANS.1301 ;
SNG.Hungary 113 ; SNG.München - ; SNG.Milano 204-205 ; cf. Sear 366
Attractive dark tone.
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CALABRIA, TARAS (TARENTUM) - AR Stater or didrachme, circa 280-272 BC
weight 6,49gr. ; silver Ø 19,5mm.
obv. Cavalryman with helmet, shield and spears charging left,
IΩ to right, ⊢H AΠOΛΛΩ below
rev. Phalanthos on dolphin left, holding bunch of grapes in right
hand and distaff in left, TAPAΣ below
The usual ANΘ in the right upper field on the reverse is missing on this coin. Rare.
The warrior shown on the obverse of this coin is almost certainly a member of the famed Tarentine cavalry. These cavalrymen were so widely reputed for their fierce character and brilliant battle skills that ′to ride like a Tarentine′ became a proverbial expression for equestrian skill.
The reverse shows a representation of the Tarentine foundation myth. Phalanthos, the Sparthenian leader having been shipwrecked and on the verge of death, was miraculously saved and carried to shore by a dolphin. On the very spot he was brought to land he founded his new colony, named after Taras, the legendary son of Poseidon.
Under the terms of their earlier settlement, no Roman ship was permitted to sail past the Lacinian Cape of Bruttium, but in 302 BC, a squadron under the praetor Lucius Cornelius, passed directly before the harbor of Taras on his way to assist Thourioi. Incested by the disregard for the treaty, the Tarantines sank most of the ships and expelled the Roman garrison from Thourioi. Outraged at these developments, the Romans declared war on Taras. The Tarantines invited the Epirote king, Pyrrhos, and his mercenary army to lead them and their allies against the Romans. The subsequent conflict became known as the Pyrrhic War (280-275). At the beginning of this war the Achaian weight standard (circa 7,90gr. for the nomos of 3 drachmas) was replaced by the new Tarantine weight standard (circa 6,60gr. for the stater of 2 drachmas). After some victories in 280 and 279 BC, in the end Pyrrhos was defeated in 275 BC by the Romans in the Battle of Beveventum. Taras surrendered to the consul Lucius Papirius Cursor and became a Roman allied city (civitas foederata). Taras, as a “civitas foederata” continued the activity of her mint on the reduced weight standard.
SNG.Paris 1920var. ; SNG.Copenhagen 893var ; SNG.Tübingen- ;
SNG. Delepierre 232var. ; Vlasto 795 ; SNG.München 673var. ;
McClean 635var. ; cf. Evans, VII, F.1 ; cf. Jameson 195 ;
Historia Numorum, Italy 1013 ; HGC.887
attractive patina
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CALABRIA, TARAS (TARENTUM) - HERA(KLEIAS), magistrate - AR Stater or didrachm, circa 280-272 BC
weight 6,43gr. ; silver Ø 21mm.
obv. Naked youth on horse prancing right,
holding torch in right hand, ⊢HPA (KΛHI) below
rev. Phalanthos seated on dolphin right, aiming a dart
in right hand, holding two lances in left hand, a chlamys
flows from his left arm, PX-monogram in field to left,
kantharos and Ξ below, TAPAΣ to right
Under the terms of their earlier settlement, no Roman ship was permitted to sail past the Lacinian Cape of Bruttium, but in 302 BC, a squadron under the praetor Lucius Cornelius, passed directly before the harbor of Taras on his way to assist Thourioi. Incested by the disregard for the treaty, the Tarantines sank most of the ships and expelled the Roman garrison from Thourioi. Outraged at these developments, the Romans declared war on Taras. The Tarantines invited the Epirote king, Pyrrhos, and his mercenary army to lead them and their allies against the Romans. The subsequent conflict became known as the Pyrrhic War (280-275). At the beginning of this war the Achaian weight standard (circa 7,90gr. for the nomos of 3 drachmas) was replaced by the new Tarantine weight standard (circa 6,60gr. for the stater of 2 drachmas). After some victories in 280 and 279 BC, in the end Pyrrhos was defeated in 275 BC by the Romans in the Battle of Beveventum. Taras surrendered to the consul Lucius Papirius Cursor and became a Roman allied city (civitas foederata). Taras, as a “civitas foederata” continued the activity of her mint on the reduced weight standard.
BMC- (cf. 126) ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.München- ;
SNG.Tübingen- ; Jameson 193 ; McClean- ; Vlasto 817 ;
Evans Pl.VIII, no.13 (type L) ; Historia Numorum, Italy - ;
Côte 425 (de la plus grande rareté) ; Weber collection 637 ;
HGC- ; SNG.Paris- RR
Wonderful coin of great elegance and style. Masterpiece. Very rare.
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CALABRIA, TARAS (TARENTUM) - PHILOKRATES & ARISTOKRATES, magistrates - AR Stater or didrachm, circa 280-272 BC
weight 6,01gr. ; silver Ø 20mm.
obv. Naked boy seated on horse standing right, which he crowns
with his right hand, in upper left field, ΦIΛOKPA, below, NK-monogram
rev. Naked Phalanthos seated on dolphin left, holding wreath-bearing Nikè
in right hand and trident in left, TAPAΣ in right field, APIΣTO below
Under the terms of their earlier settlement, no Roman ship was permitted to sail past the Lacinian Cape of Bruttium, but in 302 BC, a squadron under the praetor Lucius Cornelius, passed directly before the harbor of Taras on his way to assist Thourioi. Incested by the disregard for the treaty, the Tarantines sank most of the ships and expelled the Roman garrison from Thourioi. Outraged at these developments, the Romans declared war on Taras. The Tarantines invited the Epirote king, Pyrrhos, and his mercenary army to lead them and their allies against the Romans. The subsequent conflict became known as the Pyrrhic War (280-275). At the beginning of this war the Achaian weight standard (circa 7,90gr. for the nomos of 3 drachmas) was replaced by the new Tarantine weight standard (circa 6,60gr. for the stater of 2 drachmas). After some victories in 280 and 279 BC, in the end Pyrrhos was defeated in 275 BC by the Romans in the Battle of Beveventum. Taras surrendered to the consul Lucius Papirius Cursor and became a Roman allied city (civitas foederata). Taras, as a “civitas foederata” continued the activity of her mint on the reduced weight standard.
The monogram NK is found on gold, silver and bronze coins of this issue.
BMC 129 ; SNG.Copenhagen - ; SNG.München - ; SNG.Tübingen- ;
SNG.Delepierre 240var. ; Evans VIII, C2.F ; SNG.Paris - ; Côte 503 ;
Vlasto 868 ; Historia Numorum Italy 998 ; McClean- ; Jameson- ; HGC 880 R
Very minor traces of oxidation and minted with worn dies. Rare.
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CALABRIA, TARAS (TARENTUM) - AR Diobol, circa 280-228 BC
weight 0,95gr. ; silver 12mm.
obv. Head of Athena right, wearing plain crested helmet
rev. Naked Herakles standing left, his body turnted right
strangling a Nemaean lion with his bare hands, club in left field,
owl standing right, head facing, between his legs, TAPAN right above
BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen 987 ; cf. SNG.München 756 ;
SNG.Paris 2123 ; McClean - (cf. 720) ; Vlasto 1405
Minor flan crack. Attractive coin of fine classical style.
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CALABRIA, TARAS (TARENTUM) - AR Diobol, circa 280-228 BC
weight 0,94gr. ; silver 11mm.
obv. Head of Athena left, wearing Corinthian helmet
rev. Herakles, naked, standing left, his upper body turned right,
strangling the Nemean lion with his hands, club behind him,
TAPANTINΩN on the right, ΦI between his legs
BMC 362 ; SNG.Copenhagen 1002 ; SNG.München 757 ; Jameson 190 ;
SNG.ANS.- (cf. 1450-1451) ; Côte 598 ; SNG.Tübingen- ; McClean 728 ;
SNG.Delepierre- ; SNG.Paris - (cf. 2126) ; Vlasto 1422-1423 ; Sear- ;
Côte collection - ; SNG.Delepierre - ; cf. Historia Numorum Italy, 1064 ;
HGC.1, 916 R
very attractive and rare coin type
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CALABRIA, TARAS (TARENTUM) - AR Obol, circa 280-228 BC
weight 0,47gr.; silver Ø 9mm.
obv. Kantharos between ΦΥ-monogram and dot
rev. Kantharos between dot and inverted tripod
BMC 447 ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.Paris- ; Jameson- ;
Vlasto - ; SNG.Tübingen- ; SNG.München- ; McClean- ;
Côte collection - ; cf. Historia Numorum, Italy 1076 ;
cf. HGC 1, no. 927 ; Sear - (cf. 356) RRR
Light traces of oxidation. Extremely rare.
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CALABRIA, TARAS (TARENTUM) - HERAKLETOS, magistrate - AR Stater or didrachme, circa 272-240 BC
weight 6,30gr. ; silver Ø 17mm.
obv. Rider wearing crested helmet and cuirass on horse standing right,
with left foreleg rased; right hand at side holding spear, point downwards;
reins in left hand and circular shield on left arm,
ΦI in field to right ⊦HEPAK / ΛHTOΣ below horse
rev. Phalanthos on dolphin left with stretched right arm and holding
cornucopiae in left, EΠ-monogram and thymiaterion in field to right,
TAPAΣ below
SNG.Paris 2037 ; SNG.Copenhagen 927 ; Vlasto 891-892 ;
NG.München 693 ; McClean 661 ; cf. Evans, G.1, pl.IX, 9 ;
SNG.Oxford 385-387 ; SNG.ANS.1208-1210 ; HGC.892 ;
Historia Numorum, Italy 1037
Struck on a short planchet. Attractive coin with appealing toning.
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CALABRIA, TARAS (TARENTUM) - ARISTOKLES, magistrate - AR Stater or didrachm, circa 272-240 BC
weight 6,13gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.
obv. Naked horseman on prancing horse to right, lancing downwards.
Behind him a large round shield and reverse of two lances.
In field to left ΔI, beneath horse API-ΣTO / KΛ-HΣ
rev. Phalanthos (Taras) seated on dolphin left, holding kantharos in extended
right hand and trident in left, in field to right, head of nymph (Astyra ?),
TAPAΣ below
BMC 214 ; SNG.Copenhagen 924 ; SNG.München 691 ; HGC 1, 890 ;
Vlasto 877 ; Côte 505 ; Evans VIII.D.1 ; SNG.Oxford 376-380 ;
SNG.ANS.1197-1201 ; SNG.Milano 230-232 ; SNG.Hungary 88-92 ;
McClean 658 ; SNG.Paris 2023 ; Historia Numorum Italy 1033
Very attractive piece of excellent style and fine details. Wonderful toning.
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CALABRIA, TARAS (TARENTUM) - DAIMACHOS, magistrate - AR Stater or didrachm, circa 240-228 BC
weight 6,48gr. ; silver Ø 20mm.
obv. Nude youth riding horse galloping to right, holding torch in his right hand;
to upper left, monogram, ΔAIMAXOC below
rev. Nude Phalanthos riding dolphin to left, holding kantharos in his right hand
and trident in his left; behind to right, monogram, TAPAC below
In this period we see that the usual Greek letter Σ is sometimes replaced by the letter C. Maybe it was already the influence of the Latin, as the Roman dominance in South Italy was increasing in those days.
This coin belongs to the last series of coins of the Greek city of Taras. During the Second Punic War (218-201 BC) the city fell in the hands of the Romans. Thirty thousand of the Greek inhabitants were sold as slaves. Tarentum′s art treasures, including the statue of Nikè (Victory) were carried off to Rome. It meant the end of a once so prosperous and flourishing Greek city.
SNG.Copenhagen 940 ; SNG.München 696 ; Vlasto 938 ; Côte 553 ;
SNG.Tübingen- ; Jameson 218 ; McClean- ; Evans IX, A1 ;
SNG.Paris- ; HGC.899 (R2) ; Historia Numorum, Italy 1053 RR
A bright and attractive example. Some very minor weakness,
but in fact nearly as struck. Very rare.
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