Is this Neptune?

Just wondering?


Ya'll got any Didrachms Or, Dolphins?

 

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With the trident I would guess yes but I don't think it's Taras.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taras_(mythology)

 

REVERSE:

It is either (1) Taras, the son of Poseidon (Neptune); or (2) Phalantos (alt: Phalanthos, Phalanthus), the supposed founder of the city (its Oikistes).

People differ in their interpretations. Best to be aware of both. (Or, as I see it, Phalantos-as-Taras.)

Phalantos' story involves other steps (consulting oracles at Delphi, etc., some business about his wife's tears, etc.), but some versions share an important parallel with Taras' mythology, as represented on these coins:

Both were shipwrecked and saved by dolphins. For Taras, the dolphin was sent by his father. For Phalantos, when the dolphin delivered him safely ashore, he chose that spot for the city of Tarentum/Taras (he was already planning to found it somewhere).


OBVERSE:

These are some of the most interesting Greek coins. The series was produced for centuries with hundreds (at least) of varieties. There are multiple important books/catalogs and articles written about the different types.

Some important ones are expensive or hard to find, namely Vlasto, Fischer-Bossert, and HN Italy.

Others, less important but valuable contributions nonetheless, easily available online: Côte-Ratto [excellent copy] and Evans [good text/bad plates on that copy]. Or you can dig around auction descriptions or the discussion forums to see how others explained your type based on the books, especially once you know the Vlasto #.

Yours is a "Vlasto 963-970" (to find examples, search esp. the phrases "Vlasto 965" and "Vlasto 966"). The inscription below him is KAΛΛΙΚΡΑ / ΤΗΣ. (Kallikrates. Prob. some kind of local official, or "magistrate"?)

It happens to be quite a distinctive type -- and it sure looks like there's a story behind it.

Notice he's being crowned with a wreath by Nike. Possibly commemorating some victory. But what kind? He looks too old to compete in the "Games" (jockeys are shown as young boys), and isn't dressed for it (prob. shouldn't be at all!), so I suspect not an athletic/equestrian victory.

A military victory? Possibly recent, possibly historical? Or some other important local "win," like a successful commercial-military alliance formed?


MY COIN:

I've only got one Tarentum Stater. No particular interesting story to go with my horseman -- just a cool looking cavalryman. I like its large nautical-themed control symbol below Dolphin Boy -- a rudder.

(Kinda looks like they're leaping over the rudder, doesn't it?! Dolphin hurdles.)

It's hard to find ones more complete and centered than this specimen, so I've always been very happy with it:

Tarentum AR Didrachm or Nomos or Stater or Whatever (21mm, 6.5g, 9h), Magistrates Thi(...) und Aristok(...), c. 272-240 BCE.
Obv: ΘI (left) / APIΣTOK (below). Helmeted Horseman r., holding spear and shield.
Rev: ΤΑΡΑΣ (right). Phalantos or Taras as Oikistes riding dolphin left, holding trident, being crowned by Nike; rudder below.
Ref: HN Italy 1039; Vlasto 899; Côte 524 (different dies).
Prov: Ex-VAuctions Sale 223, Lot 1 (5 March 2009); purchased by CSJ for JJ Collection.

Notes: Video available here (on imgur)​

 

I need to tone down my photos.
Thank you for the references @Curtis
Wow there are a lot of Different styles.
I will have plenty of research to do.

 

Is that a Landis @ZoidMeister

 

Yup.

 

Here is another similarly themed.

Z

 

I took another shot of my coin.

 

Horizontal photos might look better. (For coins and photos that aren't perfect, showing one side at a time can end up magnifying any problems too much.)

Also, a little "post processing" can help. Some people don't want to "re-touch" a photo at all, but it's okay if you're trying to make it look accurate to a coin's real appearance.

I just tried changing the lighting/contrast/highlights and color balance/saturation a bit. Otherwise, these are the OP photos (feel free to save & use if you like better than the original):

 

Or, adjusting the second one quickly (mostly turning down shadows, brightness up, highlights down), and "horizontalizing" it:

 

I wish I knew how to do that.
I don't have a post processing program to put the images side by side. I would.

 

I hear ya -- but I'm sure you have right program in your phone and/or laptop or anything else. My phone & laptop are pretty old & I just use whatever programs already come installed from the factory.

But figuring all that out for the first time can definitely be tricky

 

I will take a look.

 

That can’t be a hammered coin. What is it

 

That’s a nice one. Be proud

 

Am I the only one that doesn’t have one of those?

 

Syracuse Decadrachm hot struck tribute - Arethousa / Nike on Chariot. 43 grams, .999 silver by Landis Studios.

Now these are in fact hand hammered strikes.

Z

​

 

Had to download Photoscape
I just played with the side by side view.
Haven't messed with the post processing yet.

 

I was wondering the same thing trying to identify mine,
The flip said Didracm.