Nomos 16

CALABRIA. Tarentum. Circa 385-380 BC. Stater (Silver, 21 mm, 8.04 g, 9 h). Nude youth, riding on horse standing to left with his right foreleg raised, crowning the horse's head; below horse’s belly, Λ. Rev. ΤΑΡΑΣ Taras riding dolphin to left, holding a kantharos in his outstretched right hand and resting his left on the dolphin's back; below dolphin, Ρ. Fischer-Bossert 457 d (V200/R348, this coin). HN III 875. Kraay & Hirmer 307 (this coin). Toned and of exceptionally fine, classical style, beautifully struck on a full flan. A few very minor marks, otherwise, extremely fine.

From the Cinquantenaire Collection, Switzerland, and from the Prospero Collection, New York Sale XXVII, 4 January 2012, 18, acquired from G. Müller of Spink's, 28 June 1989, and from the collection of Max Hirmer.

Something that is particularly important to remember about Greek coins is that they were primarily designed to be used as money to pay for the needs of daily life. Thus, when we see coins, like the present one, that were struck from dies engraved by an artist of supreme talent it can come as a real shock when compared to the usual coins of today. The man (and it probably was a man, since we have no evidence for female engravers working in ancient mints – though there is no reason to assume that they did not) who produced these dies was truly outstanding: assuming that as a sculptor he worked in other media - perhaps with gemstones or with relief or fully round sculptures in stone or metal – can you imagine what sculptures of his would be worth? This just goes to prove that ancient coins really are actual art works in miniature.