Greece, Greek Colonies of Italy, CALABRIA, Tarentum. Circa 320 BC. AV Stater (15mm, 8.51 g, 10h). Head of Persephone right, wearing a stephanos ornamented with palmettes, a slight veil, and triple-pendant earring; [E to left]; to right, T[APA] and small dolphin swimming downward / Poseidon, seated left on diphros, bow laying in his lap, cradling trident in his left arm and resting his right hand on his knee, looking down upon the child Taras, who stands right, raising both arms toward him; TAPANTINΩN to left; to right, star above |-; [K below diphros]. Fischer-Bossert G5 (V4’/R5); Vlasto 1 = Jameson 137; HN Italy 901; SNG France 1777–8; ACGC 685; Basel 89; Holloway, Art 8; Kraay & Hirmer 315 = Berlin 1 (all from the same dies). VF, minor die rust. Fine style. Very rare, only twelve examples noted by Fisher-Bossert, at least five of which are in museums (Berlin, Florence, London, Paris [2]); only one other than this in CoinArchives (Prospero). 


Ex Nomos 6 (8 May 2012), lot 3; Numismatica Ars Classica 48 (21 October 2008), lot 3.

This interesting issue of staters offers a wonderful display of the mythological history and significance of the city of Tarentum. The reverse scene shows the great sea-god, Poseidon, seated on a diphros, leaning forward toward his son Taras, who reaches up to him. Interpretations of this scene have varied based on the datings that numismatists have assigned to this issue. It was clear that the issue belonged to the second half of the fourth century BC, and there has been a traditional thought that gold coinage at that time was often struck for payments made during times of crisis. Most numismatists also agreed that the scene depicted an act of appeal by Tarentum, represented by Taras, to a foreign power, represented by Poseidon. M.P. Vlasto, C.M. Kraay, and G.K. Jenkins thought that Poseidon, the father of Taras, was meant to represent Sparta, the parent city of Tarentum.