Sale: Nomos 3 & 4, Lot: 4. Estimate CHF50000.  Closing Date: Monday, 9 May 2011.  Sold For CHF100000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CALABRIA, Tarentum. Circa 333-331/0 BC. Stater (Silver, 8.03 g 12), Signed by the Kal....engraver. Nude rider on horse prancing to right, hurling spear with hi s right hand and holding two spears and a shield in with his left; to left and right, 𐅂 Λ; below, signature ΚΑΛ above Δ. Rev. ΤΑΡΑΣ Phalanthos, nude, riding dolphin to right, holding helmet with both hands; to left and right, star of eight rays; below, signature ΑΡΙ above waves. Fischer-Bossert 764. HN III 896. Kraay-Hirmer 311. SNG ANS 970. Vlasto 545 var. Very rare. A virtually perfect example of one of the most artistically masterful and beautiful of all Tarentine staters, of splendid late classical style. Beautifully toned and well struck on a broad flan. . Tiny flan crack, otherwise, good extremely fine.

From a Swiss private collection, ex LHS 100, 23 April 2007, 65 and ex Leu 86, 5 May 2003, 206.

This must be about the finest Tarentine stater in existence. It was also engraved by the so-called Kal engraver, who made some of the finest dies ever produced in Magna Graecia.