The numismatic chronicle and journal of the Royal Numismatic Society

96 NUMISMATIC CHRONICLE.
scheme, Type D [PI. VI. 9] is remarkable for several
reasons. This coin is distinguished from all other Taren-
tine types of this class by the fact that both the rider on
the obverse and Taras on the reverse have their right
hand raised as if to greet some welcome arrival. On the
obverse of this coin a naked youth on a caracolling horse
is seen raising his hand above the horse's head with open
palm ;
on the reverse Taras with his right leg thrown for-
ward, in the attitude which characterizes this group of
coins, extends his right hand, while in his left he holds a
with a fillet attached to it. In the field to
palm-branch
the right, where on the parallel piece, Type A 1, is the
seated Molossian eagle, there is here seen a crested Corin-
thian helmet, and below in conspicuous letters is the in-
scription ^ YM. The whole design of this exceptional
piece seems to contain an allusion to the advent of some
friendly personage.
The inscription ^ YM on the reverse does not occur on
any other types
of Tarentine coins or with other associa-
tions of signature, and in that respect is unique among
the types of this or the succeeding Period of the Taren-
tine coinage.
It is possible that it stands for the personal
name ^ YMMAXO^, which is found moreover on
the Herakleian tables. On the other hand, the exceptional
character of its appearance, as well as the remark-
able type with which it is associated, makes it worth while
to consider at least the possibility that we have here a
written expression of alliance. The absence of any Epirote
symbol forbids us to refer this type to Alexander the
Molossian's time. It might, on the other hand, with
some plausibility be brought into relation with the part
played by the Tarentines in the great coalition formed
by the exiled Syracusans and their allies against Aga-