I have been asking myself this question since I purchased this coin: The reverse is described as: Founder seated left on chair, holding bird by the ends of its wings in extended right hand. I found a publication online which helped to solve the mystery. It is Vlasto, Michel Pandely: Taras Oikistes, a contribution to Tarentine Numismatics, published in Numismatic Notes and Monographs 15, 1922. Describing this type, on page 192, the author states: "On this rare die, Taras holds a small bird having its feet tied with a lemniskos [red woolen ribbon]...During games and festivities, doves and other birds were released after having had their feet tied with leminiskoi, so that they might be easily caught by the spectators." http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=pst.000006169213;view=1up;seq=204 Next question: Why was this done? The likely answer was provided when I googled "lemniskoi" and found that these red ribbons were sometimes tied to the horns of sacrificial bulls. I assume, therefore, that the spectators who caught the birds used them as special sacrificial victims. Researching our coins can sometimes provide strange and interesting results!
Wow, ancientnut = that is an absolutely gorgeous example!! (I am very jealous of that sweet coin!!) => but sadly, when I read your interesting notes I felt very sorry for those poor birds and their probable nasty outcomes (then I thought to myself, who would want to catch a dove and then kill it?!! ... then I felt quite good that I wasn't around during those times) oh, but again => that new coin of yours is outstanding (bravo ... very cool)
Thank you all for the comments. Uncovering facts, or even theories, about our coins is one of the most satisfying aspects of this hobby. Aidan, it is a very rare type and one of the finest known. But it also fascinates me that it has been in 4 famous collections: - Nelson Bunker Hunt (Sotheby's, June 21, 1990, lot 177) - Charles Gillet - E(rnest) J(ohn) Seltman (1886-1957) - Michel P. Vlasto (1876-1936)
This is a truly wonderful coin for so many reasons, and one of my favorites of the coins you've shared from your collection!
