c. 280-240 BC Calabria Taras Silver Didrachm NGC Choice Very Fine

The ancient Greek city of Taras (modern Taranto) in Calabria was one of the most prosperous colonies of Magna Graecia, founded by Spartan settlers in the eighth century BC. This silver didrachm, struck circa 280-240 BC, dates to a turbulent period when Taras sought military alliances — most notably with King Pyrrhus of Epirus — to resist the expanding power of Rome. Certified by NGC Ancients, the coin reflects the distinctive artistry and cultural identity of one of southern Italy's most important mints.

The obverse features a nude youth on horseback, a motif closely associated with the aristocratic equestrian culture of Taras, with the horse shown in a walking stance and a delta control letter visible in the field. The reverse depicts the city's iconic founding legend: the hero Taras, son of Poseidon, astride a dolphin with one arm extended, accompanied by the ethnic inscription TAPAΣ below. Both devices display solid definition with even wear across the surfaces.

Graded Choice Very Fine by NGC Ancients, this didrachm exhibits a pleasing silver patina with honest, balanced wear consistent with the grade. The devices remain well-defined on both sides, and the flan is reasonably centered. Tarentine didrachms are among the most collected types in Greek numismatics, prized for their distinctive dolphin-rider imagery and the wide variety of control symbols and die combinations available to the series collector. The coin pictured is the exact coin you will receive.