I was extremely taken with this piece from the moment Roma posted their catalog for Auction XXVII; The Hermann Lanz collection of Celtic coins. Needless to say it's a wonderful feeling to have won it. IMHO, the artistic style and eye appeal of the coin is just off the charts. That, and the fact that it is a plate coin (Lanz 585) from quite a special collection makes this one of my highlights of 2019. Celts in Eastern Europe AR Tetradrachm. Zweigarm Type. Description Celts in Eastern Europe AR Tetradrachm. Zweigarm Type. Circa 3rd century BC. Unknown tribe. Celticised, bearded head of Zeus to right, with two 'horns of Ammon'; the neck truncation and dotted border forming volutes / Stylised rider wearing crested helmet on horseback to left, right arm outstretched; wheel and pellets before. Göbl, OTA pl. 25, 291/5 (same dies); Lanz 585 (this coin). 13.30g, 24mm, 12h. Good Very Fine; beautiful old cabinet tone. Rare. From the Hermann Lanz Collection; this coin published in M. Kostial, Kelten im Osten - Gold und Silber der Kelten in Mittel- und Osteuropa - Sammlung Lanz (Staatlichen Münzsammlung München, 1997); This coin exhibited by the Staatlichen Münzsammlung München at the 1997 International Numismatic Congress in Berlin; at the Berliner Bank also in 1997; also exhibited at the Luitpoldblock Palmengarten, Munich in 2003 (exhibition #104[reverse]).
Nvb, Great score ! This coin really stood out among all the fine Celtic coins from the Lanz collection . The "volutes" at the neck truncation & border are clearly depicting a Celtic torque design, see photo below, courtesy of pinterest. The wheel on the reverse is common on British Celtic coins, & this coin truly represents the description Zweigarm, meaning "branch arm", as seen on the rider.
Al Kowsky I had not made that connection before but yes, you are right! Torques were a a major status symbol in Celtic culture. The exact same border design can be seen on the Abrincatui stater in my profile pic.
Congratulations, it is certainly a fantastic coin, not least for the beautiful border decoration. And here it is all packaged and ready!
