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GM23487

Calabria, Tarentum, silver Nomos, NGC, Ch AU 4/5, 4/5.

Calabria, Tarentum, silver Nomos, c.280-272 BC, Si- and Lykon, magistrates, rider on horseback to right, holding lance in right hand and shield with two javelins in left, ΣI behind, ΛYKΩN below, Nike holding wreath in right field, rev. TAPAΣ, Taras holding trident and kantharos, riding dolphin left, 6.50g (HGC-1, 883; Vlasto-730-1; HN Italy-1004). Wonderful iridescent tone, good metal, in NGC holder graded Ch AU, strike 4/5, Surface 4/5.

NGC Certification 6290606-008

Tarentum was founded by colonists from Sparta in the 8th century BC. In this series the dolphin-rider is variously described as the son of the god Poseidon, Taras, after whom the city was named, who was shipwrecked and saved by a dolphin which his father had sent to rescue him; or Phalanthos, the leader of the Spartan colonists, who was also shipwrecked and rescued by a dolphin; or an unnamed oikist, the term given to the lead-colonist who had authority to choose which site to colonize and direct the colony's activities in its early stages. At this point in the series the individual appears to be named and therefore we suggest interpreting him as Taras. The horse-riders are depicted at different ages, some with armour suggesting they are warriors, and others with laurel wreaths suggesting they are the winners at important celebratory games.

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