My bonnie Celtic Durotriges Cranborne Chase Silver Stater, South Western Britain (Wessex area), circa 58 BC-AD 43, 5.7 g, 20.1 mm; Obv: stylized head of Apollo r., Rev: stylized horse l., thirteenth pellets; Ex. Brighstone, Isle of Wight (Vectis) 2005 Hoard; Chris Rudd, "ABC" 2157. http://www.celticcoins.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Brighstone.pdf The Durotriges ("fort dwellers/runners"?) were a close-knit confederacy of smaller units ("tribes") centred upon modern Dorset. Their tribal capital was Maiden Castle (Dorset) and/or Durnovaria (Dorchester). The Avon was the eastern boundary of their kingdom. The Durotriges were separated north of the Dobunni by the Salisbury Plain. The names of the kings of Durotriges have not reached us. They had trade relations with their Armorican neighbors and were excellent sailors. Chris Rudd map. In AD 43 the Durotriges were vanquished by Flavius Vespasianus and his Legio II Augusta... ... (now is when @Bing is going to check his army... and @Alegandron will scream (with all his might): I want one! I´m Celt!! ). Greek generals paid Celtic mercenaries with gold staters of Philip II of Macedon. The Celts did the rest... The Celtic Way, ye know what I'm talking about... (I have "mirrored" the reverses): Early British coin art is... :"Surrealistic!". http://www.writer2001.com/morphphil2paris1.htm Thirteenth pellets, 12+1... (representing the number of lunar months in a year... ). A design that began in Macedon c. 340 BC ended in Dorset c. AD 43... http://pasttimesandpresnttensions.blogspot.nl/2014/09/purpose-and-pattern-abstraction-on.html Barbarian copy or Celtic art? What do ye think?? No illegals drugs were used during the production of this paper. In case of doubt read the works of Carl Jung... --- Chris Rudd, Ancient British Coins, 110-113, 2010. Martin Papworth, Deconstructing the Durotriges, BAR 2008. Cheetham, P, Hambleton, E, Russell, M, and Smith, M, Digging the Durotriges, Current Archaeology, 281 / 36-41, 2013. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durotriges
Fantastic write up, just spent time in that area on holiday I am fascinated of this early history. Great coin, so much going on the reverse.
So interesting to learn how abstraction of the coin design (appears to have/probably/no doubt) evolved. Loved this paper, @RAGNAROK!
You dag-gone RIGHT I am gonna scream 'I want one'! Me be a Kelt! I am beginning stirrings into Kelt Coinage...it is on the radar... I only have a few at the moment...just need to begin edjukatin' myself to the koinage! I love the Celtic Style! WEST EUROPE - BRITTAIN CELTIC BRITAIN the Iceni Queen Boudicca, 61 AD. AR Unit (Quinarius size) 1.03 g Obv: Celticized head right Rev: Celticized horse galloping right. Ref: vArs.794. Scarce DOWN THE MIDDLE EUROPE Celtic AE Ring 800-500 BCE EAST EUROPE Celtic Imitation Philip II drachm Kugelwangel type- Agora auction Celtic Imitation Philip II drachm - pecunum auction I have nary from Llan-Gaul!
Amazing coin and a great thread, Ragnarok! I love it! I also collect Celtic coins, but no pics at moment...
Very nice! I want to get into some if the more fantastic Celtic reinterpretations of Greek coins...one day!
Just a question RAGNAROK, what would be the area on Chris Rudd's map that includes Bath and Stonehenge?
Bath: Dobunni, probably... Stonehenge: Atrebates - Belgae, probably... Remember, mate: with Celts in the matter nothing´is certain...