Tarentine Didrachm

The most intriguing aspect of the Tarentine Didrachm is its horseman motif, often showing a rider in full gallop on the obverse, a design that highlights the ancient city's equestrian heritage and skilled die engravers.

These silver coins, minted in Tarentum from around 510 to 280 BC, typically weigh about 7-8 grams and bear Taras on the reverse, depicted as a youth riding a dolphin. That's no myth; it's straight from the archaeological record. Variations in the horseman's pose, from standing to leaping, reflect changes in local artistry over decades.

Exact mintage figures? Lost to time, like so many ancient records. We've got hoards from Sicily that give clues, but that's as far as it goes.

Some claim these coins cursed their owners, but that's collectors' nonsense. I handled one just last week—nothing but metal and history.