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<p>[QUOTE="Curtis, post: 25025418, member: 26430"]<b>REVERSE:</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p>It is either (1) Taras, the <i>son</i> of Poseidon (Neptune); or (2) Phalantos (alt: Phalanthos, Phalanthus), the supposed founder of the city (its <i>Oikistes</i>).</p><p><br /></p><p>People differ in their interpretations. Best to be aware of both. (Or, as I see it, Phalantos-as-Taras.)</p><p><br /></p><p>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:</p><p><br /></p><p>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).</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>OBVERSE:</b></p><p><br /></p><p>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.</p><p><br /></p><p>Some important ones are expensive or hard to find, namely Vlasto, Fischer-Bossert, and HN Italy.</p><p><br /></p><p>Others, less important but valuable contributions nonetheless, easily available online: <a href="https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k98016857/" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k98016857/" rel="nofollow">Côte-Ratto</a> [excellent copy] and <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Horsemen_of_Tarentum/HWNCAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Horsemen_of_Tarentum/HWNCAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover" rel="nofollow">Evans</a> [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 #.</p><p><br /></p><p>Yours is a "<b>Vlasto 963-970</b>" (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"?)</p><p><br /></p><p>It happens to be quite a distinctive type -- and it sure looks like there's a story behind it.</p><p><br /></p><p>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 <i>not</i> an athletic/equestrian victory.</p><p><br /></p><p>A military victory? Possibly recent, possibly historical? Or some other important local "win," like a successful commercial-military alliance formed?</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>MY COIN:</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p>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. </p><p><br /></p><p>(<i>Kinda looks like they're leaping over the rudder, doesn't it?! Dolphin hurdles.</i>)</p><p><br /></p><p>It's hard to find ones more complete and centered than this specimen, so I've always been very happy with it:</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://www.cointalk.com/attachments/calabaria-tarentum-nomos-dolphin-rides-jpg.1563465/" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><blockquote><p><font size="4"><b>Tarentum AR Didrachm or Nomos or Stater or Whatever</b> (21mm, 6.5g, 9h), Magistrates Thi(...) und Aristok(...), c. 272-240 BCE.</font></p><p><font size="4"><b>Obv</b>: ΘI (left) / APIΣTOK (below). Helmeted Horseman r., holding spear and shield.</font></p><p><font size="4"><b>Rev</b>: ΤΑΡΑΣ (right). Phalantos or Taras as Oikistes riding dolphin left, holding trident, being crowned by Nike; rudder below.</font></p><p><font size="4"><b>Ref</b>: HN Italy 1039; Vlasto 899; Côte 524 (different dies).</font></p><p><font size="4"><b>Prov</b>: Ex-VAuctions Sale 223, Lot 1 (5 March 2009); purchased by CSJ for JJ Collection.</font></p><p><font size="4"><br /></font></p><p><font size="4"><b>Notes</b>: <a href="https://i.imgur.com/XgIwPbO.mp4" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://i.imgur.com/XgIwPbO.mp4" rel="nofollow">Video available here</a> (on imgur)</font></p></blockquote><p>[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Curtis, post: 25025418, member: 26430"][B]REVERSE: [/B] It is either (1) Taras, the [I]son[/I] of Poseidon (Neptune); or (2) Phalantos (alt: Phalanthos, Phalanthus), the supposed founder of the city (its [I]Oikistes[/I]). 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). [B]OBVERSE:[/B] 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: [URL='https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k98016857/']Côte-Ratto[/URL] [excellent copy] and [URL='https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Horsemen_of_Tarentum/HWNCAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover']Evans[/URL] [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 "[B]Vlasto 963-970[/B]" (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 [I]not[/I] an athletic/equestrian victory. A military victory? Possibly recent, possibly historical? Or some other important local "win," like a successful commercial-military alliance formed? [B]MY COIN: [/B] 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. ([I]Kinda looks like they're leaping over the rudder, doesn't it?! Dolphin hurdles.[/I]) It's hard to find ones more complete and centered than this specimen, so I've always been very happy with it: [IMG]https://www.cointalk.com/attachments/calabaria-tarentum-nomos-dolphin-rides-jpg.1563465/[/IMG] [INDENT][SIZE=4][B]Tarentum AR Didrachm or Nomos or Stater or Whatever[/B] (21mm, 6.5g, 9h), Magistrates Thi(...) und Aristok(...), c. 272-240 BCE. [B]Obv[/B]: ΘI (left) / APIΣTOK (below). Helmeted Horseman r., holding spear and shield. [B]Rev[/B]: ΤΑΡΑΣ (right). Phalantos or Taras as Oikistes riding dolphin left, holding trident, being crowned by Nike; rudder below. [B]Ref[/B]: HN Italy 1039; Vlasto 899; Côte 524 (different dies). [B]Prov[/B]: Ex-VAuctions Sale 223, Lot 1 (5 March 2009); purchased by CSJ for JJ Collection. [B]Notes[/B]: [URL='https://i.imgur.com/XgIwPbO.mp4']Video available here[/URL] (on imgur)[/SIZE][/INDENT][/QUOTE]
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