Second Potato Chip... Dolphin-Rider #2

When I posted my first of these Tarentum nomoi, @TIF mentioned the Potato Chip Effect (ie., once you start with one, you'll not be able to resist reaching into the bag again for more). My resistance lasted about two months . Here's my second potato chip, fresh from the bag...


CALABRIA, Tarentum
Circa 290-281 BC
AR Nomos. 7.75g, 22.3mm. Fischer-Bossert Group 80, 1131 (V417/R873); Vlasto –; HN Italy 934. O: Warrior, holding shield and two spears, preparing to cast a third, on horseback right; ΣA below. R: TAPAΣ, Phalanthos, holding distaff, riding dolphin left; pellet to left; below, prow left. Ex Thomas Bentley Cederlind Collection.

This was actually picked up way back in CNG 102, but was kept chilling in their vaults for almost two months before being sent, the packet just arriving today. To be clear, this wasn't due to any fault of CNG, but was a masochistic act of delayed gratification on my part - I was being a cheapskate and consolidating wins from a few auctions so as to reduce the per-coin shipping fee. Anyway, the wait was totally worth it. I love that the facial details of all four figures on the coin are clear, and that the deep iridescent toning around the devices (mentioned in the description but not evident in the auction pictures) catch the light very nicely. On the downside, I'm liking it so much that I'm already starting to get the munchies for more...

As always, feel free to post anything related!

 

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Post anything related? That's easy, I have none. I could have one if you would consider donating your first? After all, you could write that off your taxes (so we'd both benefit)

Anyway, @zumbly you have a winner there. That is a beautiful dolphin, and I love his facial expression, which adequately reflects how we would feel if we had to carry a naked Phalanthos on our backs.

 

They don't get any better than that!

 

Wow, @zumbly , what a great coin to be "addicted" to. Curious if you will buy enough to fill a FULL bag of chips?!?!?

My Bag of Chips is a VARIETY PACK...

I do not have any from Tarentum, but I will post some of my DOLPHINS:

RR Lucretius Trio 76 BCE AR Den Neptune dolphin boy S 322 Cr 390-2


Sicily Syracuse 317-289 BC AE 23 Hemilitron Agathokles Kore Bull Dolphin


Syracuse Hieron II 275-215 BCE AE20 Poseidon Trident Dolphin


RR 280-276 BCE Anon Aes Grave Triens Tbolt-Dolphin Rome Obv-Rev Crawford 14-3 T Vecchi 3 46mm, 90.3g


Thrace - 5th C. BCE Olbius AE Dolphin money


Thrace Byzantion AR Half-Siglos bull-dolphin-incuse 340-320 BC
COW SURFING the waves on a Dolphin!

 

@zumbly : Super coin. Tough to find them so well-centered. I normally see them with the dolphin nose or tail missing.

Here's another Tarentum type with an owl:

 

That is a super OP coin! Beautiful.

John

 

Thanks for the coinpliments, folks!

@Alegandron - nice dolphin variety pack!

@Brian Bucklan - I like the Tarentum owl drachms as well. They're on the proverbial List.

 

Wow, nice dolphin. Seen this type before and I know good examples go for a hefty price, yet I still want one. Closest thing I have to a dolphin is a tunny fish, which according to some people tastes exactly the same as a dolphin.

 

oh wow, that's a great coin Z.

i didn't know what the heck this was...

dis·taff
ˈdistaf/
noun
noun: distaff; plural noun: distaffs
a stick or spindle onto which wool or flax is wound for spinning.


keep eating those chips!

 

You also get to see Athena holding it on coins of Ilion (Troy), like this one (not mine):

I really like this depiction of Athena, because it's evidence of her multiple personality disorder as goddess of war and home economics. She'll skewer you with her spear then mend the hole in your tunic.

 

Wow Z-Bro, that's a gorgeous example ... I love the dude's head on the reverse of your OP-coin (very cool)

Oh, and the prow is also amazingly sweet!! (I'm jealous of your new snack)

Yah, I've got an example as well ... giddy-up, Flipper!!



Congrats .... these are great coin-types (sadly, I don't have the cash at the moment to buy any more chips)

 

Hey, @zumbly , when you get a bag of chips, aren't you supposed to SHARE??? Can I have one??? PLLLLLLLEEEEEZZZZZE?

 

Share and share alike, as they say. Hey, are those a few Marsic confederation denarii I see in your bag?

 

Thanks, Steve. Always going to be jealous of yours. I don't think I'll coming close to that warrior and horse on your coin anytime soon. Oh, I hope more coin cash comes your way soon. I'm missing CNG Wednesday with Stevex6!

 

LOL, OOoooouuuch!

 

@zumbly now this is a beautiful coin my coin friend. I'll give you a bag of Lays Potato Chips in exchange for your coin. Okay. Make it two.

 

Congrats @zumbly , awsome Taras flipper coin, blue toning is very appropriate on this coin.
Bought mine for the owl , a later coin with the weight dropped from around 8 to 6,5 gram.

 

Andres2's coin shows the other major version with boy rather than adult on the horse. We each need a dozen or so well distributed among the versions, right?

 

It's gorgeous! Usually the club-holding dolphin rider looks short and stocky à la George Costanza, but your club-carrier looks lanky and lovely .

I still haven't acquired one

 

Hmmm... now officially wanting a George Constanza dolphin rider. It's just as well that @dougsmit says we're allowed to have a dozen of these .