CALABRIA, Tarentum. Circa 465-455 BC. AR Nomos (18.5mm, 7.80 g, 11h). VF.

CNG Feature Auction 133
Lot: 10. Estimated: $ 1 000

Greek, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 2 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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CALABRIA, Tarentum. Circa 465-455 BC. AR Nomos (18.5mm, 7.80 g, 11h). Phalanthos, nude, holding wreath in extended hands, riding dolphin right; cockle shell below / Hippocamp right; crab below. Fischer-Bossert Group 7, 117p (V62/R79 – this coin); Vlasto 131 (same dies); HN Italy 827; SNG ANS 839 (same dies); SNG Ashmolean 209 = SNG Lockett 126 (same dies); SNG Copenhagen 777 (same dies); SNG Lloyd 119 = Bement 70 (same dies); McClean 537 = Warren 19 (same dies). Old cabinet tone, a few old cleaning marks, light scuff on edge. VF.

From the Santa Monica Collection, #162. Ex Rockefeller University / Dr. Alfred E. Mirsky Collection (Gemini VII, 9 January 2011), lot 16; Helbing 83 (19 August 1941), lot 21; Dr. Eugen Nitsch Collection (A. Hess 236, 3 April 1939), lot 56.

The city of Tarentum was founded in the late 8th century BC by Spartan colonists on the north coast of the gulf of the same name, on a rocky islet at the entrance to the only secure harbor. It was Sparta's only colony and maintained close relations with its mother city. The official founder of the city was believed to be the Spartan leader Phalanthos. Ancient tradition, however, tells how Taras, the son of Poseidon and a local nymph, Satyra, was miraculously saved from a shipwreck by his father, who sent a dolphin on whose back he was carried to shore, at which spot he founded a city.

Blessed with fertile land, Tarentum became famous for olives and sheep. It possessed a fine harbor, great fisheries and profitable exports of wool, purple dye, and pottery. It adopted a democratic form of government circa 475 BC, and thereafter became the leading Greek city in southern Italy. Its success led to continual difficulties with its neighbor cities, though, and on four occasions Tarentum required expeditions from Greece to help overcome its aggressors. The last of these expeditions was led by the famed Epeirote, Pyrrhos. Following his withdrawal from the city, Tarentum was occupied by the Romans.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 133 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 15-16 September 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 133 – Session One – Lot 1-308 will be held Tuesday morning, 15 September 2026 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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