Celtic Unit

[Geordie582]

Here is my latest purchase. I know it is Celtic but, despite searching two years catalogues of Chris Rudd and Philip de Jersey's book, I can't attribute with any certainty. Anyone have any ideas?

[Geordie582]

I can make out an 'A' and a 'I' in front of the face (the photograph is not as clear as the actual coin) And I guess the reverse shows two metal workers at a mushroom shaped anvil. There's a hint of lettering underneath them. 'X's maybe?

[TomGoodheart]

Bloody hell - can't you just give us some nice saxon penny to identify!!?

OK - I'm going to stick my head out here. Please remember I know nothing about this, but I like a challenge! Having looked through a variety of Trinovante/Catuvellauni units (which were my first thought) I couldn't find any paired metal workers. I tried a few Celto-Iberians but they all seem to have animals on the reverse. It then occurred to me to look a barbarous copies. I found this:

which is a copy of an Imperial bronze. You will see that the figure on the right is stabbing or attacking the left-hand figure who is riding a horse. It occurred to me that your mushroom shaped 'anvil' could be the flank of a horse. Or I could be talking c**p. But you DID ask for ideas!!!

Edited May 14, 2006 by TomGoodheart

[Geordie582]

Hmm! I don't think that's close! Sorry.

With some Paintshop Pro magic, I managed to make out "TIN" (I'd forgot celtic is read from the rim, not from the centre as in Roman & Saxon)

That's his nose at the top, by the way!!!

The reverse probably shows two metal workers(moneyers?) at a mushroom shaped anvil. The hammer is a typical type. I'm continuing the search and I'll let you know!

Found in Lincolnshire. 13mm 1gm

The nearest obverse I can find is the one in the line drawing, but it's Regini/Atrebates, so if the right type, what's it doing in Lincolnshire??

Edited May 15, 2006 by Geordie582

[Geordie582]

There's no delete button!!!

Edited May 15, 2006 by Geordie582

[Geordie582]

OK! Tom. You win. Chris Rudd is of the oppinion that it's 4th century Romano-British or Gaulish copy of a Constantinian coin. This would fit with where it was found. The large profile head mislead me. I think it was also a little wishful thinking on my part!

[TomGoodheart]

Just lucky with my searching and hunches I guess!! (In case you're interested here are a few examples that put the idea into my head). Celtic Roman copies

I certainly think it's a very interesting piece, both historically and numismatically speaking (and I enjoyed trying to figure out what it might be!!)

Is this a new interest of yours?

[Chris Perkins]

Very interesting thread, well done TomGoodHeart (the same idea did cross my mind actually, but I thought I'd let someone else get the glory).

As it's technically sort of a fake and I collect fakes, how much do you want for it Geordie?

[Peter]

I was going to add something....about fakes and collectability...and where fakes aren't really fakes (continental sterlings etc)

I clicked the Lo-Fi Version and was suitably impressed.....excellent work Chris.

[Geordie582]

Sorry Chris, but I'm too much of a collector to sell it!

TomGoodheart, I had considered a Roman copy but, because of the head size and position, I'd rejected the idea. I should have stuck with it!

Peter, I do have a 'Sterling' continental copy and was looking out for more, but the prices seem to have rocketed lately, so I'll have to pass! I'll stick with my Plantagenet collection for the moment. I did want to follow the Northumbrian Saxon Kings but, again, prices seem to have gone through the roof. It's especially galling as I had all these coins, with Canute and other Saxons in my original collection. But that was over 40 years ago. I sold the whole lot for £250 in order to buy my first computer (Sinclair build it yourself!) We all make mistakes, don't we!

Edited May 17, 2006 by Geordie582

[josie]

Maybe A for Aspen and I for Yew.

X could be end or begin since 2 image,relationship maybe.