Classical Numismatics Discussion Members' Coin Collection Photo Gallery

Image search results - "distaff"

0731 Hadrian Denarius Roma 124-27 AD HerculesReference.
Strack 155; RIC II, 149d; C331; RIC III, 731

Bust A2

Obv. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS
Laureate head, drapery

Rev. COS III
Hercules, naked, seated right on a cuirass, holding club resting on shields, and distaff

2.9 gr
18 mm
hokidoki

Calabria NomosAR Nomos
Helmeted warrior on horse left, holding shield ornamented with eight-rayed star & two spears behind him

Dionysiac Taras astride dolphin left, holding distaff & grape-bunch

Calabria, Tarentum
ca 281-272 BC

5.58g

Vlasto 789 (SNG ANS 1133)
Ex-Calgary coins

SOLD!4 commentsJay GT4

Calabria Tarentum AR didrachmCalabria Tarentum AR didrachm
Obv: Youth on horse prancing l., crowning horse. Magistrate name below ΦIΛΩ/TAΣ. Monogram ΔI to r.
Rev: Dolphin rider (Taras or Phalanthos ?) holding Kantharos and distaff. Standing rooster to r. TAPAΣ below.
21.2, 6.43g, 9h. Struck c.272-240BC.
HN Italy 1024.
Ex Weise CollectionT.MooT

Calabria, Taras AR Nomos circa 280-2726.66 g
Boy rider l., crowning his horse; above, |-I and below, ZÎ©Î I and silenus with patera and cornucopia.
Rev. TAPAÎ£ Dolphin rider l., holding distaff and Nike with wreath; in l. field, monogram.
Vlasto 771 (these dies). de Luynes 310. SNG ANS 1120 var. (monogram on r.). SNG France 1910. Historia Numorum Italy –.
Very rare. Struck on very fresh metal and with a superb light iridescent tone. Extremely fine / good extremely fineLeo

Calabria, Taras AR Nomos circa 290-2817.72 g
Helmeted horseman galloping l., holding spears and shield decorated with dolphin; below, KAÎ› and around, A – Z – Î›.
Rev. Î¤Î‘Î¡Î‘Î£ Dolphin rider l., holding distaff; in l. field, COI and in r. field, trident pointing downwards.
Vlasto 650 (these dies). SNG Sweden II, 157. Fischer-Bossert 1136b (this coin illustrated). Historia Numorum Italy 940.
Rare. Of pleasant style and with a lovely iridescent tone, minor marks, otherwise about extremely fine Ex Vinchon sale 13th April 1985, 22.Leo

Calabria, Taras AR Nomos. Circa 280 BC.23mm, 7.57 g, 12h.
Youth on horse galloping right; EY to left, [NIK]OΔAMO[Σ] below.
Phalanthos, holding kantharos and distaff, riding dolphin left; ZOP and gazelle below.
Vlasto 705; cf. HN Italy 970/958.
Good VF, toned, struck from worn dies.1 commentsLeo

Calabria, Taras Nomos circa 272-240, AR21mm., 6.26g. Boy rider left, crowning his horse; behind, monogram and below, ΦIΛOKPA.
Rev. Dolphin rider left, holding Nike and distaff.
Vlasto 827 (these dies). SNG France 1997. Historia Numorum Italy 1020.

Toned and good very fine.2 commentsLeo

Calabria, Taras, 425-415 BC, Oecist Nomos7.99g. Fischer-Bossert-279 (V127/R212), Vlasto-255.
Obv: Phalantos naked and ithyphallic riding dolphin left; extending right hand and holding cuttlefish in left hand.
Rx: Oecist naked to waist, seated left on stool and balancing distaff on right hand, a lekythos on his left wrist.
Ex Gemini XII, 11 January 2015, lot 13. Ex NAC 10, 9 April 1997, lot 17. Ex M&M Basel 10, 1951, lot 161. With interesting and unusual types: Phalantos holds cuttlefish on obverse, while on reverse Taras(or Oecist?) is shown seated rather than on horseback. Nicely centered and well struck, except for Phalantos' head on obverse; rare; beautifully toned. EF

The distaff is a very common symbol on Tarentine coins. It may be an allusion to the very important wool industry and the wool-trade Tarentum was famous for.Leo

CALABRIA, Taras, AR NomosCirca 280-272 BC. (21.5mm, 6.28 g, 10h). Warror, holding shield and two spears, on horse galloping left; ZΩ to right, [A]ΠOΛΛΩ below / Phalanthos, holding grape bunch and distaff, astride dolphin left; ANΘ to left. Vlasto 797; HN Italy 1013. VF, toned.2 commentsLeo

CALABRIA, Taras. 272-240 BC. AR Nomos20mm, 6.49g, 10h
Philotas and Di-, magistrates. Youth on horseback l., crowning horse.
R/ Dolphin rider l., holding kantharos and distaff; cock to r.
Vlasto 846; HNItaly 1024. Small lack of metal on rev., Good VF1 commentsLeo

CALABRIA, Taras. 450-440 BC. AR Nomos7.71g
Taras seated left on dolphin, both arms extended, cockle shell below, Greek ΔEM scratched in field in ancient times // Dionysius male figure, naked to waist, seated, holding distaff & scepter, large die-break noticeable at the bottom of the distaff, Fine.2 commentsLeo

CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 272-240 BC. AR Nomos20mm, 6.60 gm.
Nude youth on horseback left, placing wreath on horse's head; AΡ-IΣTIA and anchor below.
Taras astride dolphin left, holding wreath-bearing Nike and distaff.
Vlasto 819; SNG France -; SNG ANS 1157.
Nice VF, attractively toned.Leo

CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 280 BC. AR Nomos(22.5mm, 7.74 g, 1h).
Youth on horse galloping right; EY to left, NIKOΔAMO[Σ] below / Phalanthos, holding kantharos and distaff, riding dolphin left; ZOP and gazelle below. Vlasto 704; cf. HN Italy 970/958. Near EF, deep iridescent tone, a hint of porosity. Well centered on a broad flan.2 commentsLeo

CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 280-272 BC. AR Nomos19.5mm, 6.46 g, 2h
Youth on horseback right, crowning self; ZΩ to left, ZAΛO and Ionic capital below / Phalanthos riding dolphin left, holding aphlaston and distaff; ANΘ to right.
Vlasto 804; HN Italy 1014. Good VFLeo

CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 281-272 BC. AR Nomos23 mm, 6.50 g, 7 h
ΞΩ - AΠOΛΛΩ Warrior on horse galloping to left, holding shield decorated with star and two spears.
Rev. TAPAΣ Youthful oikist, nude, riding dolphin to left, holding grape in his right hand and distaff in his left; above to right, ANΘ and grain ear.
HN Italy 1013. Vlasto 800. Very fine.Leo

CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 302-280 BC. AR NomosAR. 7.86 g. 22.00 mm.
Nikodamos, Eu-, and Aga-, magistrates.
Obv. Nude warrior, wearing crested helmet and shield on left arm, holding rein in right hand, on horse advancing left; retrograde EY to left; NIKO/ΔAM/OΣ in three lines below. Rev. Phalanthos, holding grape bunch by branch in extended right hand and cradling distaff in left arm, riding dolphin left; TAPAΣ to left; to right, cock standing left; AΓA below. HN Italy 970; Vlasto 707; SNG ANS -.
Great metal and full weight. An outstanding example.Leo

CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 325-280 BC. AR Nomos19 mm, 7.83 g, 4 h
Si... and Phi..., magistrates.
Nude rider on horse galloping to right, stabbing with spear held in his right hand and holding two other spears and shield with his left; below, ΣΙ.
Rev. TAPAΣ Youthful oikist, nude, riding dolphin to left, placing his right hand on the dolphin and holding distaff in his left; to left, eagle with closed wings standing left; below, ΦΙ above waves.
Fischer-Bossert 1070. HN Italy 933. Vlasto 578.
Struck from a slightly worn obverse die, otherwise, about XF.Leo

CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 420-405 BC. AR Nomos22mm., 7.60g.
Dolphin rider r., extending arms; below, shell.
Rev. Oecist seated l., holding distaff. And staff.
SNG ANS 851. Historia Numorum Italy 844.
Old cabinet tone, marks on rev., About Very Fine.Leo

CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 430-425 BC. AR Nomos20.5mm, 7.21 g, 4h
Taras, nude, riding dolphin left, holding akrostolion; below, fish left / Taras, as Oikistes, seated left, holding strigil with lekythos and distaff downward, at which cat, to left, jumps. Fischer-Bossert Group 17, 255h (V120/R191) = Vlasto 233 = Walcher von Molthein 115 (this coin); Vlasto, Taras, Type 47B; HN Italy 844; Jameson 104 (same dies). Old cabinet tone, scattered marks. Near VF. Very rare, only 13 noted by Fischer-Bossert, no additional pieces in CoinArchives.

From the Matthew Curtis Collection. Ex Michael Pandely Vlasto Collection; Léopold Walcher de Molthein Collection (Cahn 9, 25 February 1901), lot 2598.1 commentsLeo

CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 430-425 BC. AR Nomos22mm, 7.41 g, 9h
Taras, nude, riding dolphin left, [holding wreath]; below, crawfish left.
Taras, as Oikistes, seated left, holding [distaff] and staff.
Fischer-Bossert Group 17, 253e (V119/R189) = Côte I 78 (this coin); Vlasto, Taras -; Vlasto 207-8 (same dies); HN Italy 844.
Attractive old collection tone, areas of porosity. Near VF.

Ex J. Schulman 239 (5 April 1965), lot 977; Claudius Côte Collection (Part I, R. Ratto, 28 January 1929), lot 78.Leo

CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 470-425 BC. AR Nomos7,87g, 22mm, 12h.
Oecist riding dolphin l., both arms extended; below, shell,
Rv. TAPAΣ (retrograde), oecist seated l., holding distaff and scepter.
HNItaly 844; Vlasto 186.Leo

CALABRIA, Taras. Time of the first Roman alliance, 272-235 BC. AR Nomos6.50 gm
Jockey on galloping horse / Taras riding dolphin, holding kantharos and distaff, pitcher behind.
Vlasto.904. Toned VF+.Leo

Calabria, Taras; c. 332-302 BC, Stater7.70g. Vlasto-585, HN Italy-934. Obv: Youth on horseback r., stabbing downward with spear held in r. hand, two spears and round shield held behind him; ΣA below. Rx: ΤΑΡΑΣ, Taras astride dolphin l., holding distaff, prow below.Some porosity in reverse field. VF1 commentsLeo

CALABRIA, TARENTUM, 302-280 BCDidrachm, 22mm, 7.86g

O. Jockey on horse sprinting r.
R. Taras std on dolphin l, holding distaff & kantharos

Alexan Magistrate

Vlasto 697

Ex Washington Numismatic Gallery5 commentsrobertpe

Calabria, Tarentum. Helmeted Horseman and Dolphin Rider Didrachm.Greek Italy. Calabria. 290-281-302 BC. AR Didrachm (7.80 gm, 20.4mm, 3h) of Tarentum. Helmeted horseman advancing right with spear, holding shield and two spears; ΦIΛI below (magistrate Phili). / Taras (Phalanthos) on dolphin left, holding distaff and dolphin; ΦI to l., ivy leaf & TAPAΣ to r., waves below. EF. Pegasi Numismatics Auction 121 #40. Ex M.P. Vlasto collection. Monteperano hoard. Ravel Vlasto 589 pl.XIX (this coin). D'Andrea Series XL Type 918; SNG ANS 1 #988 (same obv. die); SNG France 6.1 #1833 (same); SNG Cop 1 (Italy) #842; SNG Ash I #287; Fischer-Bossert Gp.79 #1086-1087, 1090, 1093-1096; HN Italy 934 (2); HGC 1 #800; Côte C3 commentsAnaximander

Calabria, Tarentum. Youth on horseback and Dolphin rider.Greek Italy. Calabria. 276-272 BC AR Nomos (6.58ᵍᵐ 20.0ᵐᵐ 8ʰ) of Tarentum. Youth on horseback right, crowning himself. ꞮΩ behind, ꞮAΛO (magistrates Zo-, Zalo-, and An-) and Ionic capital below. / Taras (Phalanthos) riding dolphin left, holding distaff and aphlaston; ANΘ behind; TAPAΣ below. gVF. Ex-CNG Web Auction #1213202540. D'Andrea Series XLII #1213; SNG ANS 1 #1142-1150; Evans pd.VII, G1; HN Italy 1014; HGC 1 #888; McClean Coll. I #638 (pl.25 #5); SNG Cop 1 (Italy) #898; Vlasto 803-807.1 commentsAnaximander

EB0007 Youth on horseback / Taras on dolphinTarentum, CALABRIA, AR Nomos, 281-272 BC.
Obverse: Naked youth on horseback right crowning himself; IΩ behind, ZAΛO and Ionic capital below.
Reverse: Taras astride dolphin, holding distaff and akrostolion; AN behind.
References: VLASTO 803, Evans VII, G1; SNG France 1924-25; Cote 420 and McGill II, 87-89.
Diameter: 20mm, Weight: 6.602g.3 commentsEB

EB0010 Youth on horseback / Taras on dolphinTarentum, CALABRIA, AR Nomos, 272-235 BC.
Obverse: Youth on horseback left crowning horse; ΦΙΛΩ/ΤΑΣ in two lines below, ΔΙ above.
Reverse: Taras on dolphin left, holding kantharos and distaff; cock behind.
References: VLASTO 847, SNG France 2009, SNG ANS 1176, Evans VIII, A11 and McGill II, 96.
Diameter: 20mm, Weight: 6.123g.2 commentsEB

GREEK, Calabria, Tarentum, NomosCalabria, Tarentum
290 – 281 BCE
AR Nomos – 7.81 gms

Obv: Nude ephebus on horse rearing r., spearing downward with right hand and holding round shield and two spare javelins in left, Î£A under horse
Rev: TAPAÎ£, Taras riding dolphin left, extending right hand and holding distaff in left, pellet in l. field, prow left below

SNG ANS 985-6, Vlasto 586-74 comments

Greek, Catalogue of the Collection of Tarentine Coins formed by M. P. Vlasto #233CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 430-425 BC. AR Nomos

20.5mm, 7.21 g, 4h
Taras, nude, riding dolphin left, holding akrostolion; below, fish left / Taras, as Oikistes, seated left, holding strigil with lekythos and distaff downward, at which cat, to left, jumps. Fischer-Bossert Group 17, 255h (V120/R191) = Vlasto 233 = Walcher von Molthein 115 (this coin); Vlasto, Taras, Type 47B; HN Italy 844; Jameson 104 (same dies). Old cabinet tone, scattered marks. Near VF. Very rare, only 13 noted by Fischer-Bossert, no additional pieces in CoinArchives.

From the Matthew Curtis Collection. Ex Michael Pandely Vlasto Collection; Léopold Walcher de Molthein Collection (Cahn 9, 25 February 1901), lot 2598.1 commentsLeo

Greek, Catalogue of the Collection of Tarentine Coins formed by M. P. Vlasto #650GREEK, Italy, CALABRIA, Taras. AR Nomos. Circa 290-281 BC.
7.72 g, Helmeted horseman galloping l., holding spears and shield decorated with dolphin; below, KAΛ and around, A - Z - Λ.
Rev. ΤΑΡΑΣ Dolphin rider l., holding distaff; in l. field, COI and in r. field, trident pointing downwards.
Vlasto 650 (these dies). SNG Sweden II, 157. Fischer-Bossert 1136b (this coin illustrated). Historia Numorum Italy 940.
Rare. Of pleasant style and with a lovely iridescent tone, minor marks, otherwise about extremely fine Ex Vinchon sale 13th April 1985, 22.2 commentsLeo

GREEK, Italy, Calabria, Taras281-272 BC (Period VII - The Pyrrhic Hegemony)
AR Didrachm (20mm, 6.44g)
Apollo(...) magistrate.
O: Warrior in crested helmet on horse cantering left, carrying large round shield and two spears; ΞΩ behind, [AΠOΛΛΩ] (magistrate) below.
R: Taras (of the plump Dionysiac type) riding dolphin left, holding bunch of grapes in extended right hand, distaff over left shoulder; ANΘ to right, TAPAΣ below.
Vlasto 789-91 / Evans VII, F2 or F6 / Cote 413 / SNG ANS 1131-1133 / HN Italy 1013

This plump rendition of Taras, differing greatly from previous images, is actually meant to represent a young Iacchus, the son of Dionysus and Persephone, and signifies the influence of the chthonic cult of Dionysus upon the religion of Taras. Enodia

GREEK, Italy, Calabria, Taras Oecist StaterCalabria, Taras
425-415 BC, Nomos, 7.99g. Fischer-Bossert-279 (V127/R212), Vlasto-255.
Obv: Phalantos naked and ithyphallic riding dolphin left; extending right hand and holding cuttlefish in left hand.
Rx: Oecist naked to waist, seated left on stool and balancing distaff on right hand, a lekythos on his left wrist.

Ex Gemini XII, 11 January 2015, lot 13. Ex NAC 10, 9 April 1997, lot 17. Ex M&M Basel 10, 1951, lot 161. With interesting and unusual types: Phalantos holds cuttlefish on obverse, while on reverse Taras(or Oecist?) is shown seated rather than on horseback. Nicely centered and well struck, except for Phalantos' head on obverse; rare; beautifully toned. EF3 commentsLeo

Greek, Italy, CALABRIA, Taras, AR Obol 281-235AR Obol 281-235 v. Chr.
weight 0,75gr. | silver Ø 10mm.
obv.Scallop-shell
rev. Naked Phalanthos on dolphin left, holding kantharos and distaff,
AP-monogram right, MI-monogram below
BMC- | SNG.Copenhagen- | SNG.München 782 | Vlasto 1603
SNG.Paris 2179 | SNG.ANS.1534 R
very attractive coin with fine details
xf-/vf+Leo

GREEK, Italy, CALABRIA, Taras. AR Nomos. Circa 280-272 BC.6.66 g
Boy rider l., crowning his horse; above, |-I and below, ZÎ©Î I and silenus with patera and cornucopia.
Rev. TAPAÎ£ Dolphin rider l., holding distaff and Nike with wreath; in l. field, monogram.
Vlasto 771 (these dies). de Luynes 310. SNG ANS 1120 var. (monogram on r.). SNG France 1910. Historia Numorum Italy –.
Very rare. Struck on very fresh metal and with a superb light iridescent tone. Extremely fine / good extremely fine.Leo

GREEK, Italy, CALABRIA, Taras. AR Nomos. Circa 290-281 BC.7.72 g
Helmeted horseman galloping l., holding spears and shield decorated with dolphin; below, KAΛ and around, A – Z – Λ.
Rev. ΤΑΡΑΣ Dolphin rider l., holding distaff; in l. field, COI and in r. field, trident pointing downwards.
Vlasto 650 (these dies). SNG Sweden II, 157. Fischer-Bossert 1136b (this coin illustrated). Historia Numorum Italy 940.
Rare. Of pleasant style and with a lovely iridescent tone, minor marks, otherwise about extremely fine Ex Vinchon sale 13th April 1985, 22.Leo

GREEK, ITALY, CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 280 BC. AR Nomos(22.5mm, 7.74 g, 1h).
Youth on horse galloping right; EY to left, NIKOΔAMO[Σ] below / Phalanthos, holding kantharos and distaff, riding dolphin left; ZOP and gazelle below. Vlasto 704; cf. HN Italy 970/958. Near EF, deep iridescent tone, a hint of porosity. Well centered on a broad flan.3 commentsLeo

Greek, Italy, CALABRIA, Taras. Circa 302-280 BC. AR NomosAR. 7.86 g. 22.00 mm.
Nikodamos, Eu-, and Aga-, magistrates.
Obv. Nude warrior, wearing crested helmet and shield on left arm, holding rein in right hand, on horse advancing left; retrograde EY to left; NIKO/ΔAM/OΣ in three lines below. Rev. Phalanthos, holding grape bunch by branch in extended right hand and cradling distaff in left arm, riding dolphin left; TAPAΣ to left; to right, cock standing left; AΓA below. HN Italy 970; Vlasto 707; SNG ANS -.
Great metal and full weight. An outstanding example.Leo

Hadrian denarius, RIC 149Rome mint, Hadrian denarius, 125-128 A.D. AR, 18mm 2.99g, BMC 343, RIC 149
O: Laureate head r., drapery on l. shoulder
R: Hercules seated r. on cuirass, holding club and distaff (?)
casata137ec

Hadrian, 117 - 138 AD Obv: HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, laureate bust of Hadrian facing right, drapery on far shoulder.

Rev: COS III, Hercules seated on a cuirass, resting club on round and oval shields and holding a distaff.

Silver Denarius, Rome mint, 126 AD

3.3 grams, 19 mm, 180°

RIC II 149, RSC 331, S3467(var.)1 commentsMatt Inglima

L Papius Denarius Serratus, Papia 1, Sym. var. RRC 094Obv:– Head of Juno Sospita right, wearing goat skin tied under chin. Behind head, spindle.
Rev:– Gryphon running right; in ex., L. PAPI.; in field, distaff
Minted in Rome from . B.C. 79.
Reference(s) – RSC Papia 1. RRC 384/1. RCTV 311.
Symbol variety – RRC 94. Babelon 34. BMCRR 94. CNR 1/015
Weaver's guild

3.71g. 18.77 mm. 0 degrees. 2 commentsmaridvnvm

Roman Bird tip distaffBronze Roman distaff

Long pin with bird (dove) on tip, finial on stem

86mm x 4mm; tip 12mm x 12mm

6.92g

Pannonia

3-6th century AD

Often described on ebay and by dealers as a senatorial voting stick. This description is completely unfounded and is likely a distaff for spinning thread.

Sold to ANE October 2021

From Shawn Caza:

According to Madgearu these bird-head/ring-bottom sticks are likely distaffs for spinning thread, though they may be a form of hair pin. The bird at top is usually thought to be a dove. They have been found all along the Rhine and Danube Limes, in Spain, in Switzerland and in the Near East. In many old works they were usually dated to the 5th-6th c AD. However, Madgearu reports on one which has been contextually dated to the mid-3rd c AD - buried in a Romanian site destroyed in AD 245. It is thought that they are the later Christian version of earlier sticks, often in bone, with Venus at the top. The dove was a representation of Venus that was then retained as a representation of the Holy Ghost in Christian times. Madgearu then lists 25 different archaeological finds of these sticks. These are dated, when known, to the 4th - 6th c AD.

1 commentsJay GT4

Taras AR Obol 281-235AR Obol 281-235 v. Chr.
very attractive coin with fine details
BMC- | SNG.Copenhagen- | SNG.München 782 | Vlasto 1603
SNG.Paris 2179 | SNG.ANS.1534
weight 0,75gr. | silver Ø 10mm.
obv.Scallop-shell
rev. Naked Phalanthos on dolphin left, holding kantharos and distaff,
AP-monogram right, MI-monogram below
BMC- | SNG.Copenhagen- | SNG.München 782 | Vlasto 1603
SNG.Paris 2179 | SNG.ANS.1534 R
very attractive coin with fine details
xf-/vf+2 commentsLeo

Taras, Calabria276-272 BC (Period VII - The Pyrrhic Hegemony)
AR Didrachm (20mm, 6.44g)
Apollo(...) magistrate.
O: Helmeted warrior on horse cantering left, carrying two javelins and a large round shield decorated with eight-rayed star; ΞΩ behind, [AΠOΛΛΩ] (magistrate) below.
R: Taras (of the plump Dionysiac type) astride dolphin left, holding bunch of grapes in extended right hand, distaff over left shoulder; ANΘ to right, TAPAΣ below.
D'Andrea XLII, 1203; Vlasto 789-91; Evans VII, F2 or F6; Cote 413; SNG France 1920; McGill II, 84; HGC I, 887; SNG ANS 1131-1133; HN Italy 1013
ex Numisantique

The helmeted warrior shown here behind a large shield is a definite departure from the typical image found on this coinage. The earlier naked skirmishers have been replaced by the fully armored cavalryman presented here. This was of course a gradual process, but the evolution becomes more apparent on later issues where the rider is clearly depicted wearing a cuirass.
This plump rendition of Taras also differs greatly from previous images and is actually meant to represent a young Iacchus, the son of Dionysus and Persephone. Similar images can be found on kraters and terracotta votives found in the region. The attributes of Dionysus which he carries show the foreign influence of the chthonic cult of Dionysus upon the city of Taras. This relatively new mystery cult was introduced along side the earlier ouranic cults of Poseidon and Apollo, and the inclusion of Iacchus here represents a distinct link to the Mysteries of Eleusis.
The distaff, in this context, is probably a reference to Ariadne, a wife of Dionysus, but its’ phallic nature also symbolizes the god of ecstasy Himself.

- The Tarantinians Carouse -
The theaters are full, music everywhere,
here debauchery and lewdness, and there
athletic and sophistical contests.
An unwithering wreath adorns the statue
of Dionysus. Not an earthly nook remains
unsprinkled by libations...
~ Kavafy (1933)
2 commentsEnodia

Taras, Calabria415-405 BC
AR Diobol (11mm, 0.95g)
O: Horse right, running free.
R: Taras astride dolphin right, left hand holding [distaff].
D'Andrea XVIII, 283; D'Andrea Diobols C, 6; Vlasto 1225; Cote 177; SNG Fitzwilliam 348; HGC I, 827; HN Italy 907
Very Scarce
ex Davissons Ltd

As the first port-of-call in southern Italy from Greece, Taras’ fine natural harbor soon established the city as a major center of Greek influence.
Founded in 706 BC by the Spartan Phalanthos, Taras derived its name from the son of Poseidon, who was carried ashore by a dolphin. Legend has it that Phalanthos too, after being shipwrecked, was rescued by a dolphin, and this explains the artistic device so common throughout this prolific coinage.2 commentsEnodia

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 commentsEnodia

Taras, Calabria272-240/35 BC (Period VIII - The Roman Alliance I)
AR Didrachm (19mm, 6.36g)
Philotos magistrate.
O: Naked youth on horseback left, crowning horse with right hand; ∆I above, ΦIΛΩ / TAC in two lines below.
R: Phalanthos on dolphin left, holding kantharos and distaff; cock standing left behind, TAPAΣ below.
D'Andrea XLIV, 1364; Vlasto 847; Evans VIII, A11; Cote 485; McGill II, 96; SNG France 2009-10; SNG Cop 918; HN Italy 1024
ex Numisantique

The cock on the reverse of this coin may be a reference to Apollo, or might symbolize ‘a new dawn rising’, possibly referring to Taras’ recent alliance with their old nemesis, Rome.
However it is more likely that this is simply a symbol of the magistrate under whom this coin was struck, in this case one Philotos, which was not an uncommon practice on these post-Pyrrhic didrachms of Taras.1 commentsEnodia

Taras, Calabria 272 - 240/35 BC (Period VIII - The Roman Alliance I)
AR Didrachm (20mm, 6.42g)
Tippoda magistrate.
O: Warrior in close-fitting thorax riding horse galloping right, holding javelin overhead in right hand, reigns in left; |-IΠΠOΔA (magistrate) below.
R: Phalanthos riding dolphin left, holding kantharos in extended left hand and distaff in right; ΔI and amphora behind, [Τ]ΑΡΑΣ below.
D'Andrea XLIV, 1402; Vlasto 904: SNG France 2042; McGill II, 112; HN Italy 1040; Evans VIII, K-1 (cornucopia); SNG ANS 1220-24; SNG Cop 930; HGC I, 894 (cornucopia)
ex Ken Dorney

An unremarkable coin, with the hobby-horse style obverse typical of the artistic degradation of the period (which would revive some in the following period).
This coin is also an early armored warrior type, although his breastplate is difficult to see here. Previous issues typically depicted the horseman wearing little more than a helmet and shield, whereas later designs carried fully armored warriors.

But what really caught my attention is the distaff carried by Phalanthos. Evans (no plate) lists only one example, but this with a cornucopia instead. The HGC specimen is the same, and the plate clearly shows a cornucopia with no reference to any other variety.
However Vlasto lists 4 die combinations, all of which carry the distaff, and again no cross-reference to a cornucopia type. SNG France and McGill are the same. I find this somewhat unusual.
4 commentsEnodia

TROAS, ILIONCa. 29 - 19 BC
(Ilion in Troas, Roman rule, 1st Century BC and time of Augustus)
AE 12.5 mm, 1.99 g
O: Helmeted head of Athena facing slightly leftt.
R: ΙΛΙ, Athena Ilias advancing right, holding distaff and spear; monogram before.
RPC I 2304; BMC 16; Bellinger T110; SNG Copenhagen 358
laney

Troas, Ilion 300-240 B.C. AE12Troas, Ilion 300-240 B.C

Obv. Head of Athena left in crested Attic helmet.

Rev. IΛI, Athena Ilias standing left, holding filleted spear and distaff, left facing.Lee S

Troas, Ilion, SNG Cop 347Troas, Ilion mint, c. 300 - 240 B.C. AE, 1.84g 12mm, SNG Cop 347
O: Head of Athena, l., in crested Attic helmet
R: IΛI, Athena Ilias standing left, holding filleted spear and distaff
casata137ec

Troas, Ilion. Augustus Obv: Bare head right.
Rev: IΛΙ. Athena Ilias standing right, holding sceptre and distaff; monogram to right.
RPC I 2307; Bellinger T115.ancientone

52 files on 1 page(s)