Calabria, Tarentum: A miniature collection

How does one pluralize "nomos;" nomosii? Whatever it is, that's what I have. Below is my Pod of dolphins or Troop of horses. (@stevex6 , I hope you haven't left yet.) I've never really had an interest in the type until this summer. After purchasing one at a very affordable price, then being very surprised at the quality in hand compared to the seller's photo; I found the type to be more approachable. I decided I needed more than my singular owl and bought several in different animal/rider presentations. The duplicate being the owl in right field. (only because I found #3, the better looking owl, later on.)

As with a lot of my coins, I always enjoy some iridescent/rainbow toning. A few of the seller's photos didn't show toning whatsoever and were nearly in gray-scale; in addition to #6 showing the coin as porous and bland in color. I've never been so happy with the sellers using scans. Some of these coins had been sitting on vcoins/mashops for nearly a year and per 2 of the sellers, hadn't received any serious inquiries at all.

Instead of posting the photos individually, I grouped them together in half resolution.
The collage style makes it easier to compare the styles. I have 2 more on the way and may be updating the photo in the next few weeks.

I'm sure someone else has posted a history lesson on Calabria; so I won't bother (not that i know a lot to begin with )


Left to Right, Top to Bottom

1. Nude youth on horseback left, placing wreath upon horse's head. NK monogram behind, ΦIΛOKPA below / TAPAΣ below, Taras, naked, seated on dolphin left, holding kantharos and trident.
6.51g
20.92mm

2. Nude warrior on horseback right, holding large round shield on left arm and wielding spear downwards in right hand, two reserve spears to his left; ΔI behind, API-ΣTO KΛ-HΣ in two lines below / TAPAΣ below, Taras, naked, seated left on dolphin, holding kantharos and trident, to right a female head left, hair tied in a knot behind
6.35g
19.95mm

3. Nude youth on horseback left, placing wreath on horse's head; ΣY above, ΛYΚI/ΝΟΣ in two lines below / TAPAΣ below, Taras on dolphin left, hurling trident held overhead in righthand, chlamys wrapped around left arm; owl behind.
6.62g
18.98mm

4. Naked rider on horseback right, crowning himself, ZΩ behind, ZΑΛΟ and iconic capital below / ΤΑΡΑΣ below, Taras on dolphin, holding distaff and akrostolion, ANΘ behind.
6.52g
19.57mm

5. Nude youth on horseback left, placing wreath on horse's head; ΣY above, ΛYΚI/ΝΟΣ in two lines below / TAPAΣ below, Taras on dolphin left, hurling trident held overhead in righthand, chlamys wrapped around left arm; owl behind.
6.37g
18.81mm

6. Nude warrior on horseback right, holding large round shield on left arm and wielding spear downwards in right hand, two reserve spears to his left, ΔAI beow / Taras, nude, on dolphin left, holding trident and shield, hippocamp upon it, ΦI to left, murex shell below.
7.85g
20.77mm

Post 'em

-Michael

 

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Wow iam, very, very nice!! love the owl on the coins, i don't have any of these, there are some that do.

 

Holy smokes that's a great little collection. It just jumps off the page and punches me in the face with eye-appeal.

 

indeed very nice I'll call my daughter she likes dolphins
TIF will like this also

 

Fantastic set, @iamtiberius! I'm still on the lookout for my first Taras. Someday...

 

Nomoi is the plural of the word nomos meaning customary or standard practice, law or rule. My little dictionary did not mention it as a coin denomination but I believe 'standard coin' makes sense. From this word we get the -nomy ending for words like astronomy (laws of the stars) or taxonomy (standard system of arrangement).

 

Gorgeous set, I don't have one either.

 

Wow, iam-T => those are gorgeous!!

Ummm, you bought all of those beauties "this summer"?!! ... man, apparently when you get focused on a coin-target you totally lambaste it, eh?!!

=> congrats on an instant and awesome mini-collection!!

I only have one example, but as you all probably know, I love this lil' sweetie!!

CALABRIA, Tarentum, AR Nomos
Circa 315-302 BC
Diameter: 20 mm
Weight: 7.98 grams
Obverse: Warrior, preparing to cast spear, holding two others and shield, on horse rearing right; ΣA below
Reverse: Phalanthos, holding kantharos and trident, astride dolphin left; AP monogram to left; below, small dolphin left
Reference: Fischer-Bossert Group 70, 846 (V336/R657); Vlasto 601 (same obv. die); HN Italy 937; Gulbenkian 35 (same dies); Jameson 156 (same dies)
Other: 11h … sweetly toned. Excellent metal, exceptional obverse from fresh dies (From the JMG Collection)

Oh, and I leave for the airport in a few hours (getting excited to put-on the Ritz!!)

 

Very nice stand out collection.

 

A collection to of which be envious. Beautiful coins all. Sad that I own none to post.

 

I still miss out on scoring one of those types ----but that is a jaw-dropping collection I-A-T....so here's the icon

Steve's gorgeous specimen would be right at home in your collection

 

truly beauty.

 

Yours and Ancient Joe's (of course) are the two nicest I have seen on here. Always a pleasure to look at it.
I didn't notice until now, but yours is very heavy. 0.13g heavier than my heaviest. Awesome.

Every time I thought of cooling down this summer, another one would appear randomly on Vcoins or Ma-shops. I couldn't just let them be alone.

 

Looking for one that's "steve" quality?

 

Wow, those are amazing Michael. Really liken' the luster and toning on 'em.

 

Yep, plus there are certain control marks and styles I prefer. When combined with a certain quality level, finding the right coin at a tolerable price is tricky.

 

I couldn't touch anything in "steve" quality for less than 1K. Decent condition with devices off flan will have to do for now. Good luck. I'm sure something will come up.

 

Fantastic collection and a great photo.

 

You did great. The group shot is very cool.

 

Thanks for the comments, everyone.