Ancient Greece - AR Didrachm - Calabria Tarentum (Boy on the Dolphin) - Circa (302-280) BCE

Denomination:  AR Didrachm                                       

Date:  Circa 302-280 BC

Mint:  Calabria. Tarentum.                                             

Weight: 7.91 gm

Mount: Sterling coin mount w/14k prongs and bale. Sapphire accents on prongs & bale.

Grade: NGC AU 6625608-099 AU 4/5 - 4/5 

Description: Obverse: Youth seated on horse standing right, crowning horse - Philiarchus, Sa- and Aga-, magistrates. ΣA behind, ΦIΛI/APXOΣ below.  Reverse: TAPAΣ, Taras astride dolphin left, grape bunch in right hand; AΓA below

History: Taras, according to Greek Mythology, was the son of Poseidon, the Greek god of the Sea. Legend has it that as a youth, Tara was saved from a shipwreck by riding a dolphin that was sent to him by Poseidon. The dolphin took Taras to shore upon his back and in honor of his rescue, he founded a city at the place where they landed. Most Greek cities had foundation mythologies, which tell of the circumstances under which a city was founded. One of the most interesting of all is that of the South Italian city of Taras. It was originally populated around the 8^th century BC by people from the Greek city state of Sparta, but in Greek mythology it was founded with the help of the gods. During the 4^th and 5^th centuries BC, Taras became the most important Greek city in Southern Italy, ruling over other Greek colonies. However, in 272 BC Taras finally surrendered to the Romans who were expanding throughout Italy.  This is very similar to the image that is depicted on the modern city emblem today. The city of Taras is well known for the many equestrian athletic events.