Among the objects brought from Tarentum by the Rev. G. J. Chester are certain disks of clay of some interest, though not of artistic value. They are circular and flat or cheese-like in form, with a diameter of 3½ to 3¾ inches, and a thickness of about ¾ of an inch. The inscriptions are impressed in the clay by means of a stamp, and run thus:
The order in date is that followed in the list. No. 1 is oldest, and the shape of the м seems to indicate that it may date from the fourth century B.C.; the other three are probably not earlier than the third century. Later they can scarcely be, for after that time the obol gave way to the Roman denarius and sestertius as a measure of value at Tarentum.
page 157 note 1 If we could consider the Tarentine staters as drachms, then our disks might be of the weight of an obol' worth of copper; but there is no ground for such an opinion.
page 157 note 2 Boeckh, , Staatshaushaltung der Athener, I. p. 130Google Scholarsqq. cf. Hultsch, , Metrologie, 2nd Edit. p. 703Google Scholar.
page 157 note 3 Line 554.
page 157 note 4 Aelian, , Hist. Anim, xvi. 32Google Scholar.