ITALY. Calabria. Tarentum. AR Didrachm (Nomos) (7.60 gms), ca. 302-280 B.C. NGC AU, Strike: 4/5 Surface: 2/5. Graffito. HGC-1, 813; Vlasto-673-6 var. (arrangement of magistrates name); HN Italy-960. Obverse: Nude youth riding horse right, holding reins and crowning horse; ΣA to left, ΦIΛIA/PXOΣ in two lines below; Reverse: Phalanthos, holding grape bunch, riding dolphin left; AΓA below. A rich and enchanting dark tone bests this beauty with occasional bursts of blue hues shining through like the bluing on a rifle. An attractive piece, the only demerit is some graffiti--AP--that is difficult to see without magnification. From the Mark and Lottie Salton Collection.
