Greek coin

Minted by the city of Taras (now Taranto), the obverse shows the head of the goddess Persephone (or Hera), wearing a decorated 'stephane' and a transparent veil at the back, as well as an earring and necklace. The reverse is particularly interesting: the young figure of the local hero, after whom the city was named, is shown standing on tiptoe and stretching out his arms to his father – Poseidon, god of the sea. The god is shown sitting on a throne with no back and holding his trident in his left hand, although its upper end cannot be seen.
The composition, of exceptional artistic quality, refers to the appeal made by Taras to Sparta – the homeland of Taras’ founding colonists – to provide military support against the Italiote peoples. This explains the exceptional circumstances under which the gold coin was issued. The nature of the typological message is also a unique feature.