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The Tarentum Calabria AR Nomos, minted between 272 and 235 B.C., is a remarkable piece of ancient Greek coinage from the city-state of Tarentum, located in the region of Calabria in southern Italy. Tarentum, a powerful Greek colony, was renowned for its wealth, military strength, and maritime dominance. The city played a significant role in the Greek world, particularly during the Hellenistic period, when it faced challenges from neighboring Italian powers such as the Samnites and later the rising Roman Republic. The minting of the Nomos, a large silver coin, reflects the city’s prosperity and its need for a strong and reliable currency to facilitate both military and economic activities. This coin serves as a testament to the rich cultural and political history of Tarentum during a time when the city was at its zenith, asserting its influence across the Mediterranean.
The obverse of the Tarentum Calabria AR Nomos features a youthful rider on horseback, an image that encapsulates the martial spirit of Tarentum. The boy, depicted in profile, is shown riding a horse in full motion, with the horse's powerful limbs and flowing mane conveying a sense of vitality and energy. The rider’s youthful appearance may symbolize the vitality and future of the city itself, as well as its strong ties to military prowess. The boy's pose suggests action and movement, perhaps symbolizing the city’s readiness for battle and its swift response to external threats. The horse itself, a symbol of military might and mobility, was central to Greek military tactics, particularly in cavalry warfare, and its prominent place on the coin reinforces the importance of cavalry in Tarentum’s military strategy. The intricate details of the horse’s musculature and the flowing drapery of the rider’s cloak demonstrate the high level of craftsmanship achieved by the mint of Tarentum.
The reverse of the coin features the god Taras, the legendary founder of the city of Tarentum, riding a dolphin. Taras is depicted as a young, beardless figure, seated gracefully on the back of the dolphin, which is a symbol of the city’s connection to the sea and its maritime heritage. The dolphin, often associated with the Greek god Apollo and the sea, highlights the city’s reliance on naval power and its dominance in maritime trade. The image of Taras on the dolphin is not only a religious and cultural symbol but also serves to emphasize the divine protection that the people of Tarentum believed they received from their patron deity. The figure of Taras on the dolphin, rendered with fine attention to detail, embodies the harmony between the city’s spiritual identity and its physical power, both on land and at sea. The depiction of the dolphin itself is lively and energetic, reinforcing the theme of movement and vitality present on the obverse of the coin.
The minting of the Tarentum Calabria AR Nomos would have taken place in the city's primary mint, which was well-established and produced a variety of coins to serve both domestic needs and the city’s extensive trade network. Tarentum’s minting facility would have been at the heart of the city’s economic activities, ensuring the availability of currency for everyday transactions as well as for military campaigns and offerings to the gods. Tarentum was located in a strategic position, allowing it to control key trade routes in the Mediterranean and the Adriatic Sea. The coinage produced by the mint would have been vital for both local commerce and the broader economic exchanges in the Mediterranean world. Given the large size and significant weight of the Nomos, it was likely used for larger transactions, particularly in the payment of soldiers or merchants, reflecting its status as a high-value coin.
The mintage of the Tarentum Calabria AR Nomos is difficult to determine with precision, but it is clear that the coin was produced in substantial quantities. The widespread circulation of these coins indicates that Tarentum maintained strong economic ties with neighboring cities and regions. This coin, like others minted in Tarentum, would have been used not only in trade but also to reinforce the city’s political and military power. The city’s involvement in major wars, particularly the Punic Wars and conflicts with the Samnites and Romans, would have necessitated the minting of large quantities of currency to fund military expenditures. The fact that so many examples of these coins have survived to the present day suggests that they were valued and often hoarded, reflecting their importance in the economy of the time.
The coin is graded as XF, or Extremely Fine, indicating that it is in excellent condition for its age. The design elements on both the obverse and reverse are clear and well-defined, with only minor wear evident from circulation. The image of the boy on horseback remains sharp, with fine details in the horse’s musculature and the rider’s clothing. The reverse, featuring Taras on the dolphin, retains much of its original detail, with the figure of Taras and the dolphin still easily recognizable. The coin’s surfaces are smooth, with only slight signs of handling and age, making it a highly desirable example of Tarentum’s coinage. The preservation of such intricate designs on a coin of this size and age is remarkable, and this coin serves as a testament to the quality of the minting process in ancient Tarentum.
The silver content of the coin is also significant, as the Nomos was struck from high-quality silver, ensuring its value and acceptability in trade. Silver coins were essential for major transactions, particularly in large-scale trade and military campaigns, and the Nomos would have been used in such capacities. The large size and weight of the coin made it suitable for paying mercenaries or for transactions involving valuable goods such as grain, wine, or luxury items. The silver content would have been carefully controlled by the mint to maintain the coin’s value, which was critical for ensuring that it was widely accepted in trade. The quality of the silver used in the coinage of Tarentum, combined with the detailed artistry of the design, speaks to the importance of the city as a major player in the Mediterranean economy.
The Tarentum Calabria AR Nomos is not just a piece of currency; it is a symbol of the city’s power, both militarily and economically. The combination of the warrior on horseback and the god Taras on the dolphin encapsulates the dual nature of Tarentum’s strength: its reliance on cavalry and military prowess on land, as well as its dominance of the seas through its powerful navy. The coin’s design reflects the cultural and religious values of the people of Tarentum, as well as their belief in divine protection from their patron deity. The image of Taras on the dolphin emphasizes the city’s connection to the sea, reinforcing the maritime identity that was central to its power and prosperity. The high-quality design, the use of silver, and the coin’s excellent preservation make the Tarentum Calabria AR Nomos a prized artifact for collectors and historians alike, offering a glimpse into the rich history and culture of one of the most important Greek colonies in Italy.
In conclusion, the Tarentum Calabria AR Nomos from 272-235 B.C. is a striking example of ancient Greek coinage that embodies the military and maritime prowess of the city of Tarentum. The dynamic design, featuring a warrior on horseback and the god Taras riding a dolphin, showcases the city’s cultural, religious, and political identity. The coin’s minting in Tarentum highlights the city’s importance in the Mediterranean world, both as a military power and as a hub of trade. Its XF condition ensures that it remains a valuable artifact for numismatists and collectors, preserving the intricate details of the original design. The Tarentum Calabria AR Nomos is not only a piece of ancient currency but also a powerful symbol of the strength and heritage of one of the most influential Greek colonies in Italy.