Nomos 16

CALABRIA. Tarentum. Circa 500-490 BC. Stater (Silver, 19 mm, 8.05 g, 10 h). ΤΑRΑϞ Phalanthos, nude, riding dolphin to right, his left arm outstretched to right and with his hand open, and holding behind him, in his left hand, an octopus; cable border. Rev. ΤΑRΑϞ (retrograde) Hippocamp to right; below, scallop; border of rays. Fischer-Bossert 23, l (V10/R18, this coin). HN III 827. Vlasto 126 (same obverse die). A very attractive, nicely toned, well-struck, and rare example. Good very fine.

From the Ravenel Collection, USA, and from the Prospero Collection, New York Sale XXVII, 4 January 2012, 13, acquired from Seaby's in London, in April 1984, ex Hess 254, 25 October 1983, 19 and Bourgey, 14 June 1932, 1.

This is a remarkably well-preserved example of an early stater (nomos) of Tarentum. The obverse figure of Phalanthos is a true masterpiece of late archaic/early classical Greek art; not surprising since Tarentum was, of course, a major center for the production of art objects of all kinds, especially metal work (the Vix Krater is believed to have been made there a few decades before this coin was struck).