A guide to the principal gold and silver coins of the ancients ...

66 PERIOD IV. C.
The series with the inscription ROMANO commences
about that time; that with ROMA i3robably begins about
B.C. 318.
11. Calabria. Tarentum. Alexander of Epirus. A/".
Obv. Head of Zeus of Dodona, wearing oak-wreath. Rev.
AAEEANAPOY TOY NEOHTOAEMOY. Thunderbolt;
beside which, spear-head. Wt. 132-2 grs.
In spite of the resemblance of this magnificent gold
stater to the silver coin III. B. 23, it seems probable that
it was struck at Tarentum, where Alexander went, in B.C.
332, to aid the Greeks against the Lucanians and Bruttians.
12. Tarentum. M. Obv. Head of Zeus. Bev. Eagle, on thunder-
bolt. In field, Ol, NIKAP, and two amphorae, surmounted by-
stars. Wt. 131-7 grs.
13. Tarentum. A/ . Obv. Head of young Herakles, wearing lion's
skin; club below neck. Bev. TAPANTINON. Biga, driven by
Taras, holding trident; above, NIKAP. Wt. 132-7 grs.
14. Tarentum. N, 06u. TAPANTINON. Head of Aphrodite (?)
wearing stephane, earring, and necklace. Bev. TAPAZ. Taras,
holding trident, seated on dolphin. Wt. 66-3 grs.
15. Tarentum. JR. Obc. Naked horseman, crowning his horse. In
field, magistrate's name, IAOKAHZ ; two other names in monogram,
and a dolphin.
Wt. 99-6 grs.
Bev. Similar to last. In field, two amphorae.
The head on No. 13 is clearly suggested by that on the
money of Alexander the Great, at this time circulating
far and wide. The magistrate's name, NIKAP, on No. 12
proves this coin to be of the same period. The issue of
gold and silver money at Tarentum in large quantities
during this period is a proof of the widely extended
relations of this city, the rival of Eome in southern
Italy.
Plate 31. 16. Lucania. Heraclea. JR. Obv. Head of Athena; Scylla on
helmet; in front, A, K,