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Taras, Calabria
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470-465 BC (Period I)
AR Litra (10mm, 0.68g)
O: Scallop shell with nine teeth.
R: Head of Taras left.
D'Andrea V, 87; Vlasto 1147-48; Cote 53; McGill II, 145; SNG France 1628; HN Italy 840
Scarce
From the Lewis Egnew collection. ex Superior Galleries; ex Harlan J. Berk
A wonderful example of late archaic style, these early litrae are all fairly scarce and quite desirable.
The reverse of this type is often referred to as ‘Female head left’, or ‘Head of nymph Satyra left’. George Brauer Jr. confirms this in his book 'Taras; It's History and Coinage' (1986), but cites no source. Satyra was the mother of Taras. The style differs slightly from die to die, but in none of them do I really see a female head. Effeminate perhaps, but Apollo and Dionysus have both taught us that lesson.
So once again I find myself agreeing with Vlasto and I believe this to be the head of Taras, which was also common to some of the larger coins of the period.
Both left and right facing busts are known.
Με βαθύτατη ευγνωμοσύνη αγαπητέ μου αγαπητέ φίλε Σηαννον
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![Taras, Calabria
470-465 BC (Period I)
AR Litra (10mm, 0.68g)
O: Scallop shell with nine teeth.
R: Head of Taras left.
D'Andrea V, 87; Vlasto 1147-48; Cote 53; McGill II, 145; SNG France 1628; HN Italy 840
Scarce
From the Lewis Egnew collection. ex Superior Galleries; ex Harlan J. Berk
[i]A wonderful example of late archaic style, these early litrae are all fairly scarce and quite desirable.
The reverse of this type is often referred to as ‘Female head left’, or ‘Head of nymph Satyra left’. George Brauer Jr. confirms this in his book 'Taras; It's History and Coinage' (1986), but cites no source. Satyra was the mother of Taras. The style differs slightly from die to die, but in none of them do I really see a female head. Effeminate perhaps, but Apollo and Dionysus have both taught us that lesson.
So once again I find myself agreeing with Vlasto and I believe this to be the head of Taras, which was also common to some of the larger coins of the period.
Both left and right facing busts are known.[/i]
Με βαθύτατη ευγνωμοσύνη αγαπητέ μου αγαπητέ φίλε Σηαννον](albums/userpics/21312/normal_Taras_1166.JPG "Click to view full size image
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Taras, Calabria
470-465 BC (Period I)
AR Litra (10mm, 0.68g)
O: Scallop shell with nine teeth.
R: Head of Taras left.
D'Andrea V, 87; Vlasto 1147-48; Cote 53; McGill II, 145; SNG France 1628; HN Italy 840
Scarce
From the Lewis Egnew collection. ex Superior Galleries; ex Harlan J. Berk
[i]A wonderful example of late archaic style, these early litrae are all fairly scarce and quite desirable.
The reverse of this type is often referred to as ‘Female head left’, or ‘Head of nymph Satyra left’. George Brauer Jr. confirms this in his book 'Taras; It's History and Coinage' (1986), but cites no source. Satyra was the mother of Taras. The style differs slightly from die to die, but in none of them do I really see a female head. Effeminate perhaps, but Apollo and Dionysus have both taught us that lesson.
So once again I find myself agreeing with Vlasto and I believe this to be the head of Taras, which was also common to some of the larger coins of the period.
Both left and right facing busts are known.[/i]
Με βαθύτατη ευγνωμοσύνη αγαπητέ μου αγαπητέ φίλε Σηαννον")
