$ 1,690.00
Please Note: This is an authentic Ancient Greek Treasure Coin, and you will receive the exact pendant in the photographs and description.
The story of the Taras Greek Nomos – the legendary “Boy on the Dolphin” coin of ancient Greek fame starts not at the southern end of the Italian peninsula where it was minted, but in far-away Sparta, the mythic military state only conquered by an alliance of Greek states after centuries of military dominance.
Why? It was refugees being forced from Sparta who founded Taras. Legend tells us that these refuges sought counsel from the Oracle at Delphi before their departure from Greece. They were told to establish a colony at the southern end of the Italian Peninsula, and so they set sail, arriving at the first safe-harbor on the Mediterranean after leaving Greek lands.
But the voyage was not without incident…
Whether myth, fable or fact, it is recorded that before the leader of the Spartan colonists, Phalanthos, could reach land, his ship was wrecked. Too far from land to swim, Phalanthos would have been lost had it not been for Poseidon, the Greek sea god, who sent a dolphin to save him. Phalanthos rode the dolphin to safe harbor, saving the leader of the new colony.
April's Notes: The detail on this coin is exquisite, and this issue, with not only the boy on the dolphin, but the waves below, makes it even more rare. Add to that the Dioscouri, who were the Greek gods who protected sailors, ant this coin is perfect for anyone with a love of the sea. (Please note: these coins are difficult to photograph and get the depth and detail of the coin in hand... we often hear "wow, it looks so much better in hand!")
The story is reminiscent of the Greek myth of Taras, the son of Poseidon, who was saved from the same fate by a dolphin when his vessel shipwrecked. Thus, Phalanthos’ new colony was named Taras, in honor of Poseidon, his son Taras, and the beloved dolphins – the helpers of the gods.
The patron god of Taras became Apollo, and its symbol, the boy riding the dolpin. Astride the dolphin of Taras is a youth being born above the waves by his faithful companion. Throughout the centuries and millennia and into today, the boy riding a dolphin takes center stage on the city’s Coat of Arms.
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