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Stater
| Issuer | Tarentum |
|---|---|
| Year | 344 BC - 334 BC |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Drachm |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Technique | Log in to see details |
| Orientation | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Greek |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Log in to see details |
| Reverse script | Log in to see details |
| Reverse lettering | Σ KYΛIK |
| Edge | Log in to see details |
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| Mintage | Log in to see details |
| Additional information |
Tarentum's gold coinage was exceptional in the ancient Greek world — the city overwhelmingly favored silver for its famous stater series, and gold issues were struck only under extreme military duress. This emission almost certainly corresponds to the prolonged defensive crisis of the 340s and 330s BC, when Tarentum called in Archidamus III of Sparta to fight back against the encroaching Messapian and Lucanian tribes. Gold was mobilized precisely because the treasury needed to pay mercenary forces that silver alone could not adequately compensate.
Archidamus died in battle at Manduria in 338 BC, the same day as Chaeronea — a coincidence ancient sources found grimly ironic.