Lot 4280
Calabria, Tarentum / Taras. Silver Didrachm (7.7g) struck ca. 280-272 BC. Magistrates: [Lykiskos] and Zor-. Warrior bearing a shield riding a prancing horse left; Nike (Victory) standing before, holding the reins and restraining the horse. Reverse: Phalanthos (Taras) astride a dolphin left, holding a shield inscribed E; Zor in left field, waves below. Vlasto 679; HN Italy 963; SNG ANS 1056-8; SNG France 1874-6; Pozzi 357. Some old hairlines in obverse peripheries. Lovely, soft iridescent highlights. Choice Very Fine.
The didrachms of Tarentum exhibit a bewildering number of variations on the basic theme of horseman / Taras astride dolphin. This early third century example shows a standing figure of Nike receiving a victorious horseman, a revival of an earlier type (Evans period IV), while the reverse has the novel innovation of Taras rising to his full height with one knee on the dolphin's back.
Estimated Value $600 - 800.
The Hunter Collection.
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| Realized $1,121 |
