The boy-riding-dolphin type of Taras (= Tarentum, on the inside of the heel of Italy's boot) is very well known and comes with many varieties. We have had threads on it before (search on "Taras") This one came today: 20-19 mm. 6.52 grams, of "Tarentine standard". Struck 280-272 BC. Horseman right, spearing downwards, shield and two extra spears Dolphin rider right with bow and arrow, elephant below, TAPAΣ almost off the flan at 10:00-11:00. Hoover Handbook I (Magna Graecia) 881, Sear Greek -- but close to 370, HN 999, Côte 363-5. SNG Cop 873. This reverse has a connection to history. Pyrrhus, King of Epirus was invited to lead the Tarentines in their war against Rome, which we now know as the Pyrrhic War, 280-275 BC. He was the first to use war elephants in Italy, hence the elephant on the reverse. Pyrrhus famously won two battles but suffered significant losses and is quoted as saying "If we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined." Many boy-riding-dolphin coins weigh distinctly more, c. 7.8 grams, but this one is on the reduced standard of coins minted during the war. Show us something related!
LOVE the type and have been near pulling the trigger on one of these types. Yours is definitely one that I would go all in on. Your coin is magic! But since you mentioned my man Pyrrhos, And here's a dolphin rider from half a millennia later: Caracalla Thrace.Trajanopolis. AD198-217. Æ Obv: Caracalla Rev: Eros rising dolphin 16mm., 2,99g. nearly very fine
Lovely example @Valentinian. Last weekends Leu auction had a couple that I was interested in bidding on but I completely messed up WET & CET resulting in me missing the saturday sale They had a large number up for auction and 2 in particular caught my eye, worst of all they didn't sell for that much either. Sometimes I do wish I could kick myself in the forehead.
Wow coin, Warren! Very nice capture. Here is one related, 200 years later, by the Republic whom eventually won... Roman Republic AR Denarius 76 BCE Moneyer: L Lucretius Trio 18.3mm, 3.6g Obv: Laurel Head of Neptune r, Trident over Shoulder, control-numeral behind (V as 5... no, not a Quinarius!) Rev: Winged Boy (deified Palaemon?) riding on back of Dolphin r, L LVCRETI / TRIO below. Sear 322, Crawford 390/2
There are so very many variations on this theme with different poses and ages of the riders. Some have special minor devices like the elephant. This one appealed to me due to the fast moving obverse horse with boy hanging on for dear life despite its wear and lack of field decor.
TARAS, CALABRIA AR Diobol OBVERSE: Head of Athena in crested helmet left decorated with Skylla REVERSE: Herakles kneeling right, strangling lion Struck at Taras 380-334 BC 1.2g, 11mm Vlasto 1316
I have a few dolphin riders: Calabria, Tarentum AR Nomos, 315-302 BC, 20.5mm, 8.00gm Obverse: Warrior, preparing to cast spear, holding two others and shield, on horse rearing. Reverse: Phalanthos, holding kantharos and trident, astride dolphin left; AP monogram to left; small dolphin below. References: Fischer-Bossert Group 70, 846 (V336/R657); Vlasto 600 (same obv. die); HN Italy 937; Gulbenkian 35 (same dies); Jameson 156 (same dies) EF, toned, excellent metal, exceptional style obverse from fresh dies. Ex JMG Collection (CNG 94, 18 September 2013), lot 15 From the Stevex6 Collection I like the waves on this one: Calabria, Tarentum AR Nomos, 355-340 BC, 7.80g, 21mm, 9h. Obverse: Warrior on horseback right, shield on left shoulder, |- below. Reverse: Taras seated astride dolphin left over waves, holding seashell; P below, ΤΑΡΑΣ behind. References: Vlasto 448; HN Italy 878; SNG France 1750; F.B. 673m. The reverse has wonderful style. On the coins of Tarentum, the facial features of Taras are usually the first part of the die to wear out or become clogged. On this piece we see a carefully rendered face in which the die cutter must have invested significant care and attention. John
That is a lovely dolphin rider, @Valentinian! The connection with Pyrrhus makes it all the more desirable. I don't have one from this period, but the first coin of Taras I ever bought was struck just slightly earlier. I liked the dismounting pose of the horserider and the hippocamp control device on the reverse. CALABRIA, Tarentum AR Stater. 7.74g, 22mm. CALABRIA, Tarentum, circa 280 BC. Vlasto 700; HN Italy 968. O: Helmeted naked warrior with shield jumping off horse galloping left; EY behind, NIKΩTTAΣ below. R: TAPAΣ, Phalanthus of Tarentum, holding trident and short spear, riding dolphin right; below, hippocamp right, ΣOP to left. Ex Giessener Münzhandlung 81 (1997), Lot 67
Wonderful coin, V! I didn't know about the connection of the elephant to Pyrrhus... now I want one of that type . Z, I love the hippocamp on yours. Theodosius... that ex x6 coin is spectactular . Doug, "hanging on for dear life" indeed! What a dynamic and evocative scene. Ryro, I love that Caracalla. My only dolphin rider (so far) has a very dynamic scene: CALABRIA, Tarentum circa 344-340 BCE per CNG's cataloger; 380-345 BCE per Cote/Ratto; AR nomos (didrachm); 21 mm, 7.72 gm, 9h Obv: Warrior, holding small shield in left hand, dismounting from horse galloping left; horizontal T below Rev: Phalanthos (Taras?), holding helmet in right hand, riding dolphin left; TAPAΣ to upper right, I and waves below Ref: Fischer-Bossert group 47, 657 (V252/R509); Vlasto 437 (same dies); HN Italy 876; Côte 152 Ex Dr. Spencer Paterson Collection of Ancient Coins, Sept 2019 Slabbed prior to its most recent sale to me and quickly de-slabbed upon arrival; NGC XF, 5/5, 4/5, Fine Style. Prior sales: CNG's Coin shop (date unknown); Roma Auction 6 lot 327 (Sept 2013)
I do enjoy the coinage of Taras and whenever possible try to purchase another horseman.Taras Ar nomos Obv. Naked rider on prancing horse rght spearing downwards. Rv Taras riding dolphin left. To right head of nymph Vlasto 880 275-240 B.C. 6.39 grms 19 mm
I have two dolphin-rider coins, one from Tarentum and one Roman Republican coin. First: Tarentum, Calabria. AR Nomos (didrachm), ca. 302-280 BCE. Magistrates Sa.., Arethon and Cas-. Obv. Youth on horseback right, crowning horse with wreath; magistrates' names: ΣA to left and AΡE/ΘΩN in two lines below/ Rev. TAΡAΣ, Phalanthos astride dolphin left, holding tripod, CAΣ below. Vlasto 666; Rutter, HN Italy 957; SNG ANS 1046. 23 mm., 7.86 g. Second: Roman Republic, L Lucretius Trio, 76 BCE, AR Denarius. Obv. Laureate head of Neptune right, XXXIII above and trident behind/ Rev. Cupid (or Infant Genius) on dolphin right; L LVCRETIVS TRIO. Crawford 390/2, Sydenham 784, RSC I Lucretia. 19 mm., 3.9 g. (Both are the sellers' images.) There's something about the combination of the boy's joyful expression and body language on this coin, and the grumpy expression on the dolphin's face, that really appealed to me.
