Calabria, Stater, ca. 272-240 BC
Tarentum - Silver - VF(20-25) - HGC:1-890
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Nude youth warrior on horse galloping right, spearing downward with right hand and holding a shield and two spears with his left; ΔΙ behind him.
Taras or Phalanthos riding dolphin on left, holding kantharos in right hand and trident upward in left hand; female head turned to the left in right field.
A fine stater, with most of the iconography visible on both sides and showing a start of patina with iridescent highlights. Our specimen was struck during the magistracy of Aristocles. The motif on the reverse certainly represents Taras, son of Poseidon, who legend has it was the founder of the city to which he gave his name. As his ship was destroyed, Taras is saved by a dolphin sent by his father. These elements are echoed on our coin with the trident, attribute of Poseidon. On the obverse, a horseman is about to pierce someone with his spear. This iconography is common to the coinage of Tarentum, renowned for its cavalry. Historically speaking, our stater was minted when the city came under Roman rule (272 BC). It then became a “civitas foederata”, i.e. a city allied with Rome. At the same time, the First Punic War (264-241 BC) broke out, and Tarentum took part in the war effort. The city finally and permanently became Roman in 209 BC. Vlasto 877-82; HN Italy 1033; HGC 1, 890; BMC 124.
ΔΙ / ΑΡΙ-ΣΤΟ / ΚΛ-ΗΣ
ΤΑΡΑΣ
6.31 gr
Silver
Silver can fall into your pocket but also falls between copper and gold in group 11 of the periodic table. Three metals frequently used to mint coins. There are two good reasons for using silver: it is a precious metal and oxidizes little upon contact with air. Two advantages not to be taken for granted.
Here is thus a metal that won’t vanish into thin air.
It’s chemical symbol Ag is derived from the Latin word for silver (argentum), compare Ancient Greek ἄργυρος (árgyros). Silver has a white, shiny appearance and, to add a little bit of esotericism or polytheism to the mix, is traditionally dedicated to the Moon or the goddess Artemis (Diana to the Romans).
As a precious metal, just like gold, silver is used to mint coins with an intrinsic value, meaning their value is constituted by the material of which they are made. It should be noted that small quantities of other metals are frequently added to silver to make it harder, as it is naturally very malleable (you can’t have everything) and thus wears away rapidly.
The first silver coins probably date back to the end of the 7th century BC and were struck on the Greek island of Aegina. These little beauties can be recognized by the turtle featured on the reverse.
The patina of silver ranges from gray to black.
The millesimal fineness (or alloy) of a coin indicates the exact proportion (in parts per thousand) of silver included in the composition. We thus speak, for example, of 999‰ silver or 999 parts of silver per 1 part of other metals. This measure is important for investment coins such as bullion. In France, it was expressed in carats until 1995.
