Nomos 25

CALABRIA. Tarentum. Circa 240-228 BC. Didrachm or nomos (Silver, 20 mm, 6.50 g, 3 h), struck under the magistrates Kallikrates, Epik... and Ne.... Bare-headed, bearded and armored military leader riding horse galloping to right, his head and torso facing and his right arm stretched out to left, holding Nike crowning him to right; in field to left, monogram of ΕΠΙΚ; below horse, KAΛΛIKPA / THΣ. Rev. TAPAΣ Phalanthos astride dolphin to left, holding, in his right hand, Nike crowning him to right, and, in his left, an ornamental trident; to right, monogram of NE. HN III 1059. SNG ANS 1260. SNG Paris 2059. Vlasto 963. A beautiful, sharply struck and well-centered example. Good extremely fine.

From the Morcote Collection, formed before 2005.

Here we see a successful military leader - since he is bearded he is no ordinary cavalryman - galloping along and being crowned by Nike. He must have been responsible for some ephemeral triumph over Tarentum's Italic neighbours. The following lot shows the same victorious general during the victory parade!