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Taras, Calabria 302--228 BC
AR Hemiobol (7.5mm, 0.24g)
O: Scallop shell with seven teeth, within linear border.
R: Two crescents back to back, with two pellets above and below.
Vlasto 1789-91; SNG France 2258-60; Cote 181; HN Italy 926
Very scarce
From the Anders collection; ex Roma Auctions
3 commentsEnodia06/12/23 at 23:51Jay GT4: Very nice

Taras, Calabria 425-415 BC
AR Hemiobol (8mm, 0.23g)
O: Skyphos with handle to right.
R: Olive wreath, Γ within.
D'Andrea XVII, 248; Vlasto 1743; HN Italy 867; HGC 1, 867

These handle to right types are a bit more common than the handle to left coins like the previous entry. There can be other symbols within the wreath, but in-hand one can definitely see the 'gamma' here.
2 commentsEnodia05/27/23 at 22:50Jay GT4: Love these small fractions

Taras, Calabria 240/35-212 BC
AR Hemiobol (8mm, 0.28g)
O: Scallop shell with five teeth.
R: Winged Eros riding dolphin left, holding kantharos; ΦI(?) below.
Vlasto 1606-07; SNG France 2181
Rare
ex Aphrodite Coins

The appearance of Eros on the coinage of Taras is very unusual, and this coin may be the only such example. However His cult was popular in the polis and Eros' image appears on many vase paintings and votives, often riding a dolphin. These images are known as early as the 5th century BC, but become more common towards the Roman era. The origins of this cult can certainly be traced to the mother city of Sparta, where Aphrodite was venerated.2 commentsEnodia05/23/23 at 16:35Virgil H: Very nice

Taras, Calabria 281-276 BC
AR 3/4 Obol (8mm, 0.31g)
O: Head of horse left.
R: Head of horse left; ΦI before.
D'Andrea XLI, 1122; Vlasto 1704; HN Italy981
Very scarce
ex London Ancient Coins
3 commentsEnodia05/08/23 at 22:53Virgil H: Nice one.

Taras, Calabria272-240/35 BC
AR Obol (8mm, 0.42g)
O: Kantharos; 3 pellets around.
R: Kantharos; 2 pellets, owl with folded wings in field to right.
D'Andrea XLIV, 1542; Vlasto 1660; SNG France 2216; HN Italy 1076
ex London Ancient Coins

Another Dionysian obol, this one featuring a small owl, Athene Noctua, as a tribute to Athena.
3 commentsEnodia02/04/23 at 03:04arizonarobin: love this type

Taras, Calabria 385-380 BC
AR Obol (11mm, 0.55g)
O: Head of nymph Satyra right.
R: Club and strung bow diagonally; 5 pellets around.
D'Andrea XXII, 399; Vlasto 1212-13; SNG ANS 1352-53; HN Italy 858
Very scarce
ex Artemide Aste

An unusual early fractional, it is also the subject of some confusion. Vlasto describes the obverse as "Bare-headed Athena right against aegis", however I see no aegis on this specimen, and the Vlasto plates are not clear either. A bare-headed Athena would be quite atypical for Taras, while the nymph Satyra, mother of the baby Taras, is a very common theme on these earlier
coins.
1 commentsEnodia09/28/22 at 16:07Anaximander: Great find!

Taras, Calabriacirca 302 BC
AR Trihemiobol (11mm, 1.04g)
O: Two horse heads, joined at truncation; four ):( symbols around.
R: Two horse heads back-to-back; four ):( symbols around.
D'Andrea XXXVIII, 837 (this coin); Vlasto 1688 (trihemiobol); McGill II, 210v (trihemiobol); SNG France 2229; HN Italy 1072 (diobol); Sear 353v (diobol)
Rare
From the E.E. Clain Stefanelli collection. ex ex Naville Numismatics

D'Andrea plate coin, Series XXXVIII, 837
Vlasto defines this series as ‘trihemiobols’, claiming the ):( symbol to be a mark of value. Whether this is true, and if so why this symbol relates to a trihemiobol, which suggests an approximate weight of .75g, I cannot say. However based on an obol of .50g I would have to agree with Rutter et al and declare this type to be a diobol.
6 commentsEnodia10/24/21 at 15:08Leo: wonderful masterpiece！

Taras, Calabria276-272 BC
AR Litra (10mm, 0.57g)
O: Scallop shell with nine teeth.
R: Dolphin right; bunch of grapes and I below.
D'Andrea XLII, 1254; Vlasto 1527; cf Cote 417; SNG ANS 1512v (letter)
ex Forvm Ancient Coins

"Tarentum is a colony of the Lakedaimonians... They say that Taras the hero was a son of Poseidon by a Nymphe of the country, and that after this hero were named both the city and the river. For the river, just like the city, is called Taras."
~ Pausanias 10.10.85 commentsEnodia07/25/21 at 13:24Tracy Aiello: Sweet fractional.

Taras, Calabria 272-240/35 BC
AR Obol (10mm, 0.51g)
O: Scallop shell with nine teeth.
R: Dolphin swimming right; AV monogram above, Ionic capital below.
Scarce
D'Andrea XLIV, 1483; Vlasto 1534; SNG France 2148; HN Italy 979
ex Numiscorner

The broken column has appeared throughout history as a funerary symbol. This would be fitting in Taras, a polis with a strong cthonic cult. As such it is likely that its appearance here is representative of Dionysus.
1 commentsEnodia02/20/21 at 14:22Anaximander: Such a great coin, in a tiny package. Fair to say ...

Taras, Calabriacirca 450 BC
AR Hemilitra (7mm, 0.38g)
O: Scallop shell with 7 teeth.
R: Head of Satyra left, hair rolled.
D'Andrea IX, 124; Vlasto 1186; SNG France 1642; Cote 58; McGill II, 146; HN Italy 841
Scarce
ex London Ancient Coins1 commentsEnodia02/16/21 at 03:56Jay GT4: Good one

Taras, Calabria302-228 BC
AR Hemiobol (8mm, 0.25g)
O: Scallop shell with seven teeth, within linear border.
R: Two crescents back to back, with two pellets above and below.
Vlasto 1791 (this coin); SNG France 2258-60; Cote 181; HN Italy 926
Very scarce
From the M.P Vlasto collection. ex Herakles Numismatics
4 commentsEnodia02/23/20 at 06:54Leo: wonderful

Taras, Calabria280-228 BC
AR Hemilitra (8mm, 0.33g)
O: Scallop shell with seven teeth.
R: Dolphin with large eye left.
Vlasto 1551; D'Andrea----
Very scarce
From the M.P Vlasto collection. ex Herakles Numismatics

Vlasto plate coin #1551

A scarce type with the dolphin swimming left.

4 commentsEnodia12/27/19 at 21:49quadrans: Nice piece

$Taras_T_fraction.JPG$
Taras, Calabria425-415 BC
AR ¼ Litra (7mm, 0.19g)
O: T with three pellets around.
R: T with three pellets around.
D'Andrea XVII, 267; Vlasto 1191; Cote 182; McGill II, 147; SNG France 1650; HN Italy 853
Very scarce
ex Sam Sloat Coins

This tiny coin is part of a group of five or so very unusual fractions minted at Taras.
While not very sexy, it is quite scarce and a vital part of any Tarentine collection, and I'm extremely happy to have found it.6 commentsEnodia06/18/18 at 10:40Leo: Extremely rare, only six examples in Vlasto.

Taras, Calabria480-470 BC
AR Hexas (5mm, 0,11g)
O: Wheel of four spokes.
R: Wheel of four spokes.
D'Andrea IV, 79; Vlasto 1123; SNG France 1620; HN Italy 978
Very rare
ex Goduto

The spoked wheel motif was fairly common on archaic Greek coins, and its simplicity of design was especially suited to diminutive silver coins such as this one.

2 commentsEnodia05/03/18 at 00:45quadrans: Great piece..

Taras, Calabria480-470 BC
AR Hexas (5mm, 0.08g)
O: Scallop shell with 7 teeth, within linear border.
R: Wheel with four spokes.
D'Andrea IV, 78; Vlasto 1118; SNG France 1617; HN Italy 836
Very scarce
From the E.E. Clain-Stephanelli collection. ex Naville Numismatics

How many angels can dance on the head of a pin? Only a few less than can dance on this coin!
This tiny and rare little coin is now the smallest in my collection. Being but 5mm and weighing less than 1/10th of a gram, this coin is about the size the LED 'Power On' light on a small device.

4 commentsEnodia10/25/17 at 15:55Leo: Congratulation

Taras, Calabria276-272 BC
AE 14 (13.5mm, 1.85g)
O: Scallop shell with 11 teeth.
R: Kithara with six strings; olive branch to left.
D'Andrea 1309; Vlasto 1850; HN Italy 1092; SNG France- ---; McGill ---; Cote ---
Very Rare
ex Agora Auctions

This very rare bronze is the last 'official' Tarentine coin listed in Vlasto's collection. The lyre is, of course, symbolic of Apollo, and while such a reference is not typically seen on the more common coins of Taras, the cult of Apollo Hyakanthus was strong in the city (as well as in the mother city of Sparta) and may be seen represented on the earliest (and very rare) incuse coinage struck here, as well as various gold issues.
While not stunning in its beauty, I have only found two other specimens online, and so was very glad to find one for myself.

2 commentsEnodia10/24/17 at 00:07Jay GT4: Cool

Taras, Calabria240/35-212 BC
AR Hemilitra (10mm, 0.39g, 11h)
O: Scallop Shell.
R: Dolphin leaping right; hare below.
D'Andrea XLV, 1705; Vlasto 1596; SNG France 2171; HN Italy 980
Very Scarce
ex Saint Paul Antiques
3 commentsEnodia06/19/17 at 16:28quadrans: Pretty coin Laughing

Taras, Calabria276-272 BC
AR Obol (10mm, 0.57g).
O: Kantharos; pellet above and to right, flying Nike with wreath to left.
R: Kantharos; pellet above and to left, E to right.
D'Andrea XLII, 1271V (Nike to right); Vlasto 1638v (Nike to right); HN Italy 1076
Rare
ex London Ancient Coins

Another unpublished variety, this one a mirror image of Vlasto 1638, with Nike flying left instead of right.
3 commentsEnodia02/18/17 at 01:48n.igma: Nicely preserved detail.

Taras, Calabria385-380 BC.
AR Obol (9mm, 0.48g).
O: Head of nymph Satyra right.
R: Three crescents facing outward around central pellet.
D'Andrea XXII, 405; Vlasto ----; HN Italy 924v (head left)
Very Rare
ex Savoca Coins

A rare and previously unpublished variety with the nymph facing right. Vlasto knew of only the left-facing type, and his specimen may have been unique.
I’ve gone with Vlasto’s dating on this one, although based on style I believe this should probably be revised to a slightly later date.
3 commentsEnodia02/02/17 at 00:55Randygeki(h2): Congrats! A neat little coin!

Taras, Calabria385-380 BC.
AR Obol (9mm, 0.48g).
O: Head of nymph Satyra right.
R: Three crescents facing outward around central pellet.
D'Andrea XXII, 405; Vlasto ----; HN Italy 924v (head left)
Very Rare
ex Savoca Coins

A rare and previously unpublished variety with the nymph facing right. Vlasto knew of only the left-facing type, and his specimen may have been unique.
I’ve gone with Vlasto’s dating on this one, although based on style I believe this should probably be revised to a slightly later date.
3 commentsEnodia01/28/17 at 15:06Sam: What a rarity , thank you , for sharing.

Taras, Calabria240/35-212 BC
AR Litra (9mm, 0.52g)
O: Scallop shell with nine teeth.
R: Taras astride dolphin left, holding kantharos in extended right hand and distaff in left; AP monogram in field to right.
D'Andrea XLV, 1681; Vlasto 1602; Cote 573-74
Rare

While Pausanias tells us that the eponymous hero of Taras was the son of Poseidon, a new theory has been posited by Anton Boras, based on evidence from excavations north of Athens, which claims that Taras was in fact the son of Leonidas of Sparta and the goddess Gaia.
I am certainly interested in hearing anything further from these digs.
4 commentsEnodia08/28/16 at 03:50Leo: Rare coin!! I've never seen before.

Taras, Calabria281-209 BC
Æ13 (13.5mm, 1.64g),
O: Kantharos; eight-rayed star on each side.
R: Kantharos; TA to left, filleted bucranium to right.
D'Andrea 1722; Vlasto 1821-23; Hands Type IV; McClean 796; Cote 427; HN Italy 1086; SNG Cop 1601; Sear 609
Scarce
From the E.E. Clain-Stefanelli Collection. ex Naville Numismatics

“Receive the god into your kingdom,
pour libations, cover your head with ivy, join the dance!”
~ Euripides (The Bacchae)1 commentsEnodia08/04/16 at 01:08Jay GT4: Nice!

Taras, Calabria272-240/35 BC
AR Obol (11mm, 0.35g)
O: Kantharos, 5 pellets around, within dotted border.
R: Bucranium.
D'Andrea XLIV, 1505; Vlasto 1615-17; Cote 446; SNG France 2201; HN Italy 918
Scarce
From the E.E. Clain-Stefanelli Collection. ex Naville Numismatics

1 commentsEnodia05/28/16 at 20:11Jay GT4: Cool piece

Taras, Calabria425-415 BC
AR Hemiobol (7.5mm, 0.20g).
O: Skyphos with single handle to left.
R: Olive wreath, Γ within.
D'Andrea XVII, 245; Vlasto 1744; Cote 448; SNG France 2224; HN Italy 867; Sear 360v
Rare
ex Savoca Coins

A peculiar little coin with obscure symbolism.
Even the vessel type is uncertain. It is often called a ‘skyphos’, although those are typically two-handled. I have also seen it referred to as a ‘kyathos’, but that type usually has its single handle molded extremely long, making it more useful as a dipper.
This scarce coin is more commonly seen with the cup handle to the right. The reverse can also depict a ‘K’ within the wreath, or even a race torch. An empty wreath is also recorded.3 commentsEnodia02/07/16 at 14:51Taras: A very nice sample of a fascinating issue. Congrat...

Taras, Calabria425-415 BC
AR Hemiobol (7.5mm, 0.20g).
O: Skyphos with single handle to left.
R: Olive wreath, Γ within.
D'Andrea XVII, 245; Vlasto 1744; Cote 448; SNG France 2224; HN Italy 867; Sear 360v
Rare
ex Savoca Coins

A peculiar little coin with obscure symbolism.
Even the vessel type is uncertain. It is often called a ‘skyphos’, although those are typically two-handled. I have also seen it referred to as a ‘kyathos’, but that type usually has its single handle molded extremely long, making it more useful as a dipper.
This scarce coin is more commonly seen with the cup handle to the right. The reverse can also depict a ‘K’ within the wreath, or even a race torch. An empty wreath is also recorded.3 commentsEnodia11/14/15 at 02:47quadrans: Nice specimen.. I like it.. Smile

Taras, Calabria425-415 BC
AR Hemiobol (7.5mm, 0.20g).
O: Skyphos with single handle to left.
R: Olive wreath, Γ within.
D'Andrea XVII, 245; Vlasto 1744; Cote 448; SNG France 2224; HN Italy 867; Sear 360v
Rare
ex Savoca Coins

A peculiar little coin with obscure symbolism.
Even the vessel type is uncertain. It is often called a ‘skyphos’, although those are typically two-handled. I have also seen it referred to as a ‘kyathos’, but that type usually has its single handle molded extremely long, making it more useful as a dipper.
This scarce coin is more commonly seen with the cup handle to the right. The reverse can also depict a ‘K’ within the wreath, or even a race torch. An empty wreath is also recorded.3 commentsEnodia11/13/15 at 19:27Molinari: Interesting acquisition. If it didn't have th...

Taras, Calabria276-272 BC
AR Obol (11mm, 0.42g)
O: Kantharos; Φ and two pellets around.
R: Kantharos; two pellets around and crown (amphora?) to right.
D'Andrea XLII, 1274 (amphora); Vlasto ---; Cote---; McClean ---; McGill ---; HN Italy 1076; Sear 357v
Rare
ex Pop Numismatik

"To the must-drinking Satyrs and to Bacchus, planter of the vine, Heronax consecrated the first handfuls of his plantation, these three casks from three vineyards, filled with the first flow of the wine; from which we, having poured such libation as is meet to crimson Bacchus and the Satyrs, will drink deeper than they."
~ 'The Vintage Revel', Leonidas of Tarentum
1 commentsEnodia11/07/15 at 06:57quadrans: Very nice piece..

Taras, Calabria280-228 BC
AR Litra (9.5mm, 0.72g)
O: Scallop shell.
R: Dolphin swimming left; E below.
SNG ANS 1529v; D'Andrea----; Vlasto ----; HN Italy 979
Scarce
ex Ancient Imports

Scarce left-facing dolphin.1 commentsEnodia06/22/15 at 17:32shanxi: beautiful

Taras, Calabria276-272 BC
Æ21 (21mm, 8.04g)
O: Laureate head of Zeus right.
R: Nike standing right, holding thunderbolt; [TA]PANTIN[ΩN] to right.
D'Andrea 1300; Vlasto 1799; Cote 220; Laffaille 35; Sear 607
Rare
ex Praefectus Coins

Apart from Athena on its prolific series of diobols Taras was not particularly known for portrait coins. Here we find Zeus, or more appropriately Zeus Kataibates, ‘The Descender‘ or ‘He Who Comes Down’. This epithet refers to His ability to send thunder and lightning down from the sky, apparent here in the thunderbolt Nike holds in Her hands.
While not generally represented on their coins, the cult of Zeus must have been strong at Taras. A 66 foot bronze colossus of the Father of the Gods, attributed to the sculptor Lysippus, stood in the city, and most residents of Taras had a small column-shrine to Zeus Kataibates in front of their homes as a protection against lightning strikes.
1 commentsEnodia06/02/15 at 16:21Taras: A scarce type, great acquisition for a collector o...

Taras, Calabria276-272 BC
AR Litra (11mm, 0.64g, 12h)
O: Scallop shell with nine teeth.
R: Dolphin leaping right; small dolphin left above, |-HΦ below.
D'Andrea XLII, 1265; Vlasto 1489 (this coin); McGill II, 182; HN Italy 979
From the M.P Vlasto Collection. ex MNS

Vlasto plate coin, #1489.

“... The part of the small denominations, which owing to their small size, have always been ignored by the collectors, show such a sequence of small works of art, and so complete, that every museum would be pleased to have it in its cabinet. For many numismatists some of these tiny pieces, will be a real revelation.”
~ Oscar E. Ravel (Descriptive Catalogue of the Collection of Tarentine Coins formed by M. P. Vlasto - 1947)

1 commentsEnodia04/01/15 at 18:03Taras: I love the little dolphin at top left! A great acq...

Taras, Calabria385-380 BC
AR 3/8 Obol (7mm, 0.15g, 7h)
O: Head of nymph Satyra right, within dotted border.
R: Kantharos; three pellets around.
D'Andrea XXII, 410 (this coin); Vlasto ----
Very rare
ex Roma Numismatics

D'Andrea plate coin, Series XXII, 410
Previously unpublished1 commentsEnodia12/14/14 at 00:12Molinari: It is amazing to think about how these dies were e...

Taras, Calabria240/35-212 BC
AR Litra (9mm, 0.52g)
O: Scallop shell with nine teeth.
R: Taras astride dolphin left, holding kantharos in extended right hand and distaff in left; AP monogram in field to right.
D'Andrea XLV, 1681; Vlasto 1602; Cote 573-74
Rare

While Pausanias tells us that the eponymous hero of Taras was the son of Poseidon, a new theory has been posited by Anton Boras, based on evidence from excavations north of Athens, which claims that Taras was in fact the son of Leonidas of Sparta and the goddess Gaia.
I am certainly interested in hearing anything further from these digs.
4 commentsEnodia10/21/14 at 10:39Pharsalos: Your fractional collection is amazing, so many bea...

Taras, Calabria325-280 BC
AR Tritemorion (3/4 Obol) (8mm, 0.43g)
O: Bridled horse’s head right; eight-rayed star to right.
R: Bridled horse’s head right.
Vlasto 1707; Cote 261v; McGill II, 212v (no star); HN Italy 981; SNG ANS 1560v (no star); Sear 358v (no star)
ex Forvm Ancient Coins

4 commentsEnodia02/26/14 at 19:29Sam: Amazing silver.

Taras, Calabria272-235 BC
AR 3/8 Obol (6mm, 0.16g)
O: Two cresents back to back; two pellets above and below.
R: Two cresents back to back; two pellets above and below.
D'Andrea XLIV, 1609c (this coin); Vlasto 1758; McGill II, 216; HN Italy 1077; Sear 361v
ex Roma Numismatics

D'Andrea plate coin, Series XLIV, 1609c
2 commentsEnodia02/24/14 at 04:24Taras: Lovely fractional!

$Taras_T_fraction.JPG$
Taras, Calabria425-415 BC
AR ¼ Litra (7mm, 0.19g)
O: T with three pellets around.
R: T with three pellets around.
D'Andrea XVII, 267; Vlasto 1191; Cote 182; McGill II, 147; SNG France 1650; HN Italy 853
Very scarce
ex Sam Sloat Coins

This tiny coin is part of a group of five or so very unusual fractions minted at Taras.
While not very sexy, it is quite scarce and a vital part of any Tarentine collection, and I'm extremely happy to have found it.6 commentsEnodia09/16/13 at 21:13Molinari: I agree very unusual. Nice addition!

Taras, Calabria240/35-212 BC
AR Litra (9mm, 0.52g)
O: Scallop shell with nine teeth.
R: Taras astride dolphin left, holding kantharos in extended right hand and distaff in left; AP monogram in field to right.
D'Andrea XLV, 1681; Vlasto 1602; Cote 573-74
Rare

While Pausanias tells us that the eponymous hero of Taras was the son of Poseidon, a new theory has been posited by Anton Boras, based on evidence from excavations north of Athens, which claims that Taras was in fact the son of Leonidas of Sparta and the goddess Gaia.
I am certainly interested in hearing anything further from these digs.
4 commentsEnodia09/16/13 at 10:17Jay GT4: Very nice! Love the shell on such a tiny coin.

$Taras_T_fraction.JPG$
Taras, Calabria425-415 BC
AR ¼ Litra (7mm, 0.19g)
O: T with three pellets around.
R: T with three pellets around.
D'Andrea XVII, 267; Vlasto 1191; Cote 182; McGill II, 147; SNG France 1650; HN Italy 853
Very scarce
ex Sam Sloat Coins

This tiny coin is part of a group of five or so very unusual fractions minted at Taras.
While not very sexy, it is quite scarce and a vital part of any Tarentine collection, and I'm extremely happy to have found it.6 commentsEnodia08/22/13 at 17:04Taras: I saw one like this at the MARTA Museum. Very inte...

$Taras_T_fraction.JPG$
Taras, Calabria425-415 BC
AR ¼ Litra (7mm, 0.19g)
O: T with three pellets around.
R: T with three pellets around.
D'Andrea XVII, 267; Vlasto 1191; Cote 182; McGill II, 147; SNG France 1650; HN Italy 853
Very scarce
ex Sam Sloat Coins

This tiny coin is part of a group of five or so very unusual fractions minted at Taras.
While not very sexy, it is quite scarce and a vital part of any Tarentine collection, and I'm extremely happy to have found it.6 commentsEnodia08/14/13 at 05:53Lloyd: Unusual and neat - at 0.2 grams it's not one t...

$Taras_T_fraction.JPG$
Taras, Calabria425-415 BC
AR ¼ Litra (7mm, 0.19g)
O: T with three pellets around.
R: T with three pellets around.
D'Andrea XVII, 267; Vlasto 1191; Cote 182; McGill II, 147; SNG France 1650; HN Italy 853
Very scarce
ex Sam Sloat Coins

This tiny coin is part of a group of five or so very unusual fractions minted at Taras.
While not very sexy, it is quite scarce and a vital part of any Tarentine collection, and I'm extremely happy to have found it.6 commentsEnodia08/14/13 at 01:37hill132: Very nice coin.(Never seen one before)

Taras, Calabria470-465 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 Σηαννον3 commentsEnodia02/24/13 at 01:43Randygeki(h2): Yeah, this a neat little one!

Taras, Calabria470-465 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 Σηαννον3 commentsEnodia02/17/13 at 16:44Robin Ayers: Really great little coin! This photo is much nicer...

Taras, Calabria272-240/35 BC
AR Obol (10mm, 0.53g)
O: Kantharos; three pellets around.
R: Kantharos with bunch of grapes to right; pellets around.
D'Andrea XLIV, 1522; Vlasto 1661 (this coin); SNG France 2206; Cote ---; HN Italy 1076; Sear 356v
Scarce
From the M.P Vlasto collection. ex Den of Antiquity

Vlasto plate coin, #1661.

The kantharos device on this series of coins, and the bunch of grapes on this particular specimen, probably refer to the influence upon the Tarentines of the local cult of Chthonic Dionysus, and a festival to Him was held annually within the city.
1 commentsEnodia01/20/13 at 20:47Taras: A coin from the Vlasto collection? I miss...

Taras, Calabria281-228 BC
AR Hemiobol (7mm, 0.24g)
O: Scallop shell with nine teeth.
R: Dolphin right; Π (tripod?) below.
Vlasto 1531v; SNG ANS 785v; HN Italy 979v; Sear 359v
Scarce
ex Jencek Historical Enterprise

"New moons swell the slippery shell-fish, but it is not
every sea that yields the choicest kind. The Lucrine
mussel is better than the Baian cockle. Oysters come
from Circeii, sea-urchins from Misenum, luxurious
Tarentum plumes herself on her broad scallops."
~ Horace
1 commentsEnodia01/20/13 at 20:37Taras: The quote from Horace is a real gem Peter! Smile

Taras, Calabria480-470 BC
AR 1/4 Litra (8mm, 0.22g)
O: Scallop shell with nine teeth.
R: Four spoked wheel.
D'Andrea IV, 78e (this coin); Vlasto 1117; SNG France 1617-19; Cote ---
Scarce
From the Colin E. Pitchfork Collection. ex CNG; ex Roman Lode

D'Andrea plate coin, Series IV, 78.

The 'wheel type' reverse motif was common on all early Tarentine coinage until 473 BC, after which it is unknown.1 commentsEnodia11/17/12 at 00:13Jay GT4: Tiny!

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