Ancient Greek Silver Didrachm of Tarentum Circa 350 B.C.

Extremely Rare Ancient Greek Dolphin Coin

• ANCIENT HISTORY YOU CAN HOLD IN YOUR HANDS – This coin is approximately 2,370 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 and Sicily. 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 and the coin pictured here is for illustrative purposes.
• SEALED IN A PROTECTIVE HOLDER – Your coin has been sonically sealed in an acrylic holder.

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.

Struck sometime around 350 B.C., this ancient silver Didrachm features Taras riding a dolphin. Below is the legend “TARAS” written in Greek. The obverse features a naked rider with a small shield mounted on a galloping horse. According to Greek folklore, Taras was the son of the sea god Poseidon. Before founding the city of Tarantum, he nearly drowned in a shipwreck before his father sent a dolphin to rescue him. Taras went on to ride the dolphin across the Mediterranean Sea before founding the city named in his honor.

Due to their fascinating designs, these coins 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!