281-241 B.C. Greek Silver Didrachm of Tarentum NGC Ch VF

Extremely Rare Ancient Greek Dolphin Coin

When the Ancient Greeks began running out of farmland 2,700 years ago, they spread to southern Italy (named Magna Graecia) and Sicily. The largest and most powerful of the Magna Graecia cities was Tarantum, founded by the legendary Taras. Here we have an ancient silver coin from the city of Taras which was a Spartan colony in Italy. The coin depicts a boy riding a dolphin. This is thought to be Taras himself—the city's namesake. According to Greek mythology, Taras was rescued from a shipwreck by his father, the sea-god Poseidon, who dispatched a dolphin to save his son from drowning. The creature dutifully carried Taras to shore at the spot on which the city that bears his name was built.

The First Coins With A Direct Tie To Sparta

This coin has everything a collector of ancient coins could want. It's tied to a historic chapter of a historic place. Moreover, the imagery ties it to mythology—the dolphin on the coin was sent by Poseidon to save Taras. Taras' founders were from Sparta, but since the Spartans didn't use coins, these are the first coins thought to have been minted with ties to that iconic Greek city-state.

The Pyrrhic Wars And Tarentum's Defeat At The Hands Of The Romans

Located in the Calabria region in Southern Italy, Taras was known as Tarentum to the Romans and was located on a bay opening into what is now called the Gulf of Taranto. It was the only colony of Sparta, and with the only good port on the southeastern coast of Italy, it became a thriving commercial center known for its luxury. Struck sometime between 281 and 241 B.C., this coin was minted at a crossroads in history during a time when the Romans were rapidly expanding their domain at the expense of Greek holdings culminating in Tarentum's loss of independence and influence.

In the Pyrrhic War fought from 280 to 275 B.C., Pyrrhus the Greek king of Epirus came to the aid of Tarentum and "defeated" the Romans thanks to his use of war elephants, a tactic the Romans had never seen before. The war has given us the term "Pyrrhic victory," meaning that the victory came at so great a cost that the winners were left in such desperate straits that it was as if they had lost. The Romans regrouped and won the second war in 272 B.C. thanks in large part due to the treachery of Greek soldiers. The walls of the city were demolished, many works of art were plundered and carried off to Rome, and around 30,000 inhabitants were sold as slaves.

2,200-Year-Old Coin Still In Choice Very Fine Condition!

These coins have been certified, graded, and authenticated by the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) as being in Choice Very Fine (Ch VF) condition. Even though this coin is well over 2,200 years old, the images are crisp and immediately recognizable. Due to their fascinating designs, coins like this have become very scarce over the past few years. The example we have here is a truly wonderful specimen from one of the most important periods in Western history! Don't let these Taras Dolphins elude you on porpoise; click one to your cart today!

COIN HIGHLIGHTS:

• ANCIENT HISTORY YOU CAN HOLD IN YOUR HANDS - This coin is more than 2,200 years old from a time when the Ancient Greeks were expanding their territory across the Mediterranean. It was issued by Tarentum, one of largest and most powerful Greek cities established in Southern Italy. Now you can hold an actual piece of that history in your hands!

• HISTORIC SYMBOLIC DESIGNS - This coin depicts Taras riding a dolphin. According to Greek mythology, Taras was the son of Poseidon, and Greek colonists named the city Tarentum in his honor when they conquered it in 706 B.C. The obverse shows a naked rider on a galloping horse holding a small shield.

• EACH COIN STRUCK BY HAND - Your Greek Silver Didrachm of Tarentum was carefully struck by ancient artisans. Because of this, no two coins are exactly alike.

• HIGH-GRADE CONDITION - This coin has been graded by the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) as being in Choice Very Fine (Ch VF) condition.
• SEALED IN A PROTECTIVE HOLDER - Your coin has been sonically sealed in an acrylic holder.

The son of Poseidon appears astride his dolphin on this rare Greek Silver Didrachm of Tarentum struck between 281 and 241 B.C. Coins like this have become very scarce due to their fascinating motif. Secure this one now in Choice Very Fine condition!