★ One of the few renderings of a cat on an ancient coin ★

CALABRIA. Tarentum. Circa 440-425 BC. Didrachm or Nomos (Silver, 21 mm, 8.00 g, 6 h). Youthful oikist, nude, riding dolphin to left, hodling akrostolion in his right hand and leaning left on dolphin; below, shrimp to left. Rev. [TAPANTINΩN] Oikist, wearing himation, seated to left, holding dead bird in his right hand and leaning left on stool; behind to right, cat walking left towards the bird. Fischer-Bossert 262 (V123/R196). HN Italy 844. SNG Lloyd 138 ( same dies ). Beautifully toned and with a charming reverse scene. Flan crack and somewhat double struck, otherwise, very fine.

Ex Leu Web Auction 12, 30-31 May 2020, 50 and previously from a Swiss collection, formed in the 1990s and early 2000s.