My recent addition, an AR Nomos from Tarentum. It was on my wish list for quite a while: the price was right, the condition was nice as well (note the head of Phalanthos on the reverse; and the nonchalant looking owl). The horse shows some wear, but overall a pleasant coin. Please show your coins from Tarentum! CALABRIA, Anonymous. Denomination: AR Nomos, minted: Tarentum; 272-240 BC Obverse: Youth on horseback left, crowning horse and holding rein; ΣY to right, ΛYKI/NOΣ below Reverse: Phalanthos, preparing to throw trident left, astride dolphin left; to right, owl standing left, head facing Weight: 6.55g; Ø:18mm. Catalogue: Vlasto 836–41; HN Italy 1025.. Provenance acq.: 07-2020
Great coin. These are in my wishlist and have been for a while. However they are notoriously difficult to come by with all details in the flan and a price tag that won't leave my wallet empty!
Taras has to be one of my favorite mints. I have a number of coins from this mint. This is one of my most recent purchases. Taras Ar Nomos 340-335 B.C. Obv. Nude youth on horseback right crowning horse below second youth crouching right, removing stone from horse's hoof. Rv. Phalanthos riding dolphin left over stylized waves Fischer-Bossert 696e This coin illustrated. 7.73 grms 22mm Photo by W. Hansen
My only example is this one: 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 [Ravel, O.E., Descriptive Catalogue of the Collection of Tarentine Coins formed by M.P. Vlasto (London, 1947, reprinted)]; HN Italy 957 [Rutter, N.K., ed., Historia Numorum Italy (London, 2001)]; SNG ANS 1046 [Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, USA, The Collection of the American Numismatic Society, Part 1: Etruria - Calabria (New York 1969)]. 23 mm., 7.86 g.
I am reading “The Spartans” by Paul Cartledge. He states that Taras was Sparta’s only colony. AND, that Athena was a very important Goddess to the Spartans. Sparta highly revered her, and she was the “Patron Goddess of Sparta”... page 56 and 58. Ergo, Calabria Tarentum / Taras AR Drachm 18mm 3.1g 3rd C BCE Athena Corinthian Scylla OWL olive TAP ZOP HN Italy 975 Vlasto 1052
Nice one, @Roerbakmix. The flan is typically compact, but it has a good strike, and is well-centered with almost everything clear and visible. Love the cute little owl on this variety. The latest addition to my small pod of dolphin-riders is the one below. Not in hand yet, but should be arriving today! CALABRIA, Tarentum AR Stater. 7.75g, 16mm. CALABRIA, Tarentum, circa 480-470 BC. Vlasto 86-7; Fischer-Bossert 87 (V45/R58); HN Italy 833. O: Taras astride dolphin to left; scallop shell below, [TAPAΣ] (retrograde) behind. R: Wheel of four spokes; dolphin within. Here's another that's one of my favorite coins... CABALRIA, Tarentum AR Stater. 7.75g, 22.3mm. CALABRIA, Tarentum, circa 332-281 BC. Fischer-Bossert Group 80, 1131 (V417/R873); Vlasto 587; 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; ex Numismatica Ars Classica 84 (20 May 2015), lot 1358
Cool examples of Tarentum Nomos. Phalanthos riding on dolphin has such classic feel. Should look for one in the near future.
Lots of nice looking staters from Tarentum Tarentum, Nomos, c. 315/302 BC, AR stater Obv: Nude warrior on horseback right, holding two spears in left hand, shield on left and preparing to hurl another spear in his right hand; X behind, API below Rev: Phalanthos riding dolphin l., holding kantharos in r. hand, oar in l. KL below, TA - PAS behind Ref: Vlasto 636
Riding side-saddle.. As the kids say these days "That's dope!" @zumbly's is pretty nice too. Count me in as one in the 'waiting for the right PQ(Price/Quality) ratio of a badboy of this type' club. One of my top favs on the want-list.. Wanting to acquire one of these more than an Athena/Owl Tet atm. Who doesn't like dolphin riders?
