Humble little Iberian coin for my collection

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Sallent, Jul 25, 2019.

  1. Sallent

    Sallent Live long and prosper

    Here's a new coin that's coming to my collection to help bolster my Celtic numismatics representation. The coin was minted by an Iberian tribe that was antagonistic towards Rome in the 2nd Century BCE. This type of coinage is not that uncommon, but it is iconic and prices reflect that.

    I've had my eyes on these for a long while, buy never found the right one that pleased me. This one is not perfect, with a small edge split, but the beard on the man in the obverse is in good shape, the coin has great style, and cabinet toning is a beaut.

    Post anything relevant.

    91481q00.jpg

    Bolskan, Celt/Iberia
    AR denarius
    attractive style, well centered and struck, attractive deep old cabinet toning, small edge split, Bolskan (Osca) mint, weight 3.827g, maximum diameter 17.9mm, die axis 0o, 150 - 100 B.C.; obverse bearded male head right, curly hair, dotted collar, Iberian monogram "Bon" behind; reverse horseman galloping right, spear in right hand, reins in left, Iberian legend "BoLSCaN" above ground line below; Villaronga p. 211, 6; SNG BM 695 ff.; SNG Lorichs 797 ff.; SNG Cop 330; Burgos 1911; SGCV I 28
     
    Last edited: Jul 25, 2019
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  3. TIF

    TIF Always learning.

    A very appealing coin!
     
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  4. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    Great looking coin @Sallent ! I really like these charging spearmen!

    CELTIBERIA / Non-Roman Spain
    [​IMG]
    OSCA Spain AR silver denarius 204-154 BC. Head r beard -N behind - Horseman spear, Iberian PMAN BOLSCAN Burgos 1501 Villaronga 3

    [​IMG]
    Celtiberia, Secaisa
    AE As, 25mm, 8.5g, 5h;
    2nd to early-1st centuries BC.
    Obv.: Male head right flanked by dolphins.
    Rev.: Horseman galloping right holding spear // SECaISA in Iberian script.
    Reference: SNG Copenhagen 363ff
     
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  5. Parthicus

    Parthicus Well-Known Member

    Very nice coin @Sallent , I really like the design on Iberian coins in general. Here's a bronze from the city of Ekualakos:
    Iberian Ekualakos.jpg
     
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  6. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Nice!
    IBERIAN Castulo 2.jpg
    IBERIAN
    AE Semis
    OBVERSE: Young male head right, Phoenician letter before
    REVERSE: Bull right, crescent above, two Phoenicial letters below
    Struck at Castulo Late 1st century BC
    15.6mm, 1.8g
    Burgos 897
    IBERIAN Castulo 3.jpg
    IBERIAN
    AE As
    OBVERSE: Diademed male head right.
    REVERSE: Sphinx standing right, raising forepaw; star above paw, letter below
    Struck at Castulo Early 2d century BC
    33mm, 25.3g
    CNH pg. 332, 9; Burgos 697
     
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  7. Sallent

    Sallent Live long and prosper

    Here are my other Celtic coinage

    Massalia (Gaul) Obol.jpg
    I don't know how Celtic this one from Massalia is, but I've often seen associated with the Celts by other collectors. To me it's always looked Greek, but what do I know?

    Could it be a Celtic imitation coin? Opinions please!

    armorica (1).jpg
    Now there is no question this beauty from the Armorica tribe is a true Celtic coin. It was minted shortly before Julius Caesar enslaved the tribe in his campaigns through Northern Gaul. Very sad!
     
    Last edited: Jul 25, 2019
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  8. Justin Lee

    Justin Lee I learn by doing

    That's a GREAT addition! It's been on my list too, but just not high enough to actively search.

    [​IMG]
    Hispania, Carteia
    AE Semis, Struck after 44 BC

    Obverse: CARTEIA, Turreted head of city goddess right.
    Reverse: DD, Neptune standing left, right leg raised resting on stones, holding dolphin and trident.
    References: ACIP 2615; RPC I 122
    Size: 21mm, 8.74g
    Ex: Timeline Auctions, February 2019 Auction (3/2/19), Lot #3591

    [​IMG]
    Hispania, Castulo,
    AE Half Unit (Semis), mid 2nd century BC

    Obverse: Diademed male head to right; palm-branch before.
    Reverse: Bull advancing right, head facing; crescent with central dot above; Iberian “KASTILO” in exergue.
    References: CNH p. 336, 42; SNG BM Spain 1345
    Size: 22mm, 5.3g

    [​IMG]
    Hispania, Castulo,
    AE Unit, 180 BC

    Obverse: Diademed and draped male head to right.
    Reverse: Sphinx advancing right; star to right; [Iberian “KASTILO” in exergue].
    References: AB 707
    Size: 30mm, 18.62g
    Ex: Ibercoin, Auction 25, #162 (1/30/19)

    After a local princess named Himilce married Hannibal, Castulo allied with Carthage. In 213 B.C., Castulo was the site of Hasdrubal Barca’s crushing victory over the Roman army with a force of roughly 40,000 Carthaginian troops plus local Iberian mercenaries. Soon after, the Romans made a pact with the residents and the city became a foederati (ally) of Rome.
     
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  9. SeptimusT

    SeptimusT Well-Known Member

    It's pretty humble, but this is my favorite Iberian coin:
    Carthago copy.jpg
    Iberian Peninsula under Carthaginians
    Obverse:
    Head of Tanit left, crude style
    Reverse: Crested Corinthian helmet left, with chin and neck pieces; below, inscription (probably open variant of Punic ayin); crude style.
    1/4 'calco,' 1.95g, 12mm, minted in southeastern Iberia 237 - 209 BC. SNG BM Spain 81-84 variant (letter beneath helmet). Publication forthcoming.
     
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  10. Clavdivs

    Clavdivs Well-Known Member

    Really beautiful coin... I wonder who the "bearded man" is?
     
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  11. chrsmat71

    chrsmat71 I LIKE TURTLES!

    That's an attractive coin for sure @Sallent !
    I wish I had some Iberian silver, but here is a favorite AE from about the same time.

    Capture.JPG


    Obulco, Baetica, 2nd century BC, AE
    O: Female head, hair in bun, OBVLCO right.
    r: Plow above and grain below magistrate's name in Iberian text (UIUIBORTuN/MINUABoI). 29x31mm,16.3 g.
     
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  12. Ancient Aussie

    Ancient Aussie Well-Known Member

    Very nice indeed, great eye appeal Sallent.
     
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  13. Theodosius

    Theodosius Fine Style Seeker

    That is an attractive coin, Sallent!

    I have looked at those for years but still don't have any.

    Do you ever feel like you ought to have one of those iconic coins, like ATG drachms or tetradrachms, or Athenian tetradrachms? I have filled in some of these glaring holes in my collection the last few years and found I really enjoy having them.

    John
     
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  14. Sallent

    Sallent Live long and prosper

    Yes, there are many iconic coins I've gotten, and many more I still don't have. But there's also been tons of other less iconic, but nevertheless beautiful and interesting coins, that have also come my way. So I don't feel any pressure to get an iconic coin, because sometimes the more interesting coins are the ones you were never looking for and you've never heard about.
     
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  15. Spaniard

    Spaniard Well-Known Member

    Some lovely coins in this thread!
    I have a few but this is still probably my favourite and slightly more difficult to find..
    Castulo, Spain AE As.
    Castulo, Spain AE As. 30 mm, 22g. 76-45 BC.
    ISCER SACAL, youthful male head right.
    CAST SOCED, sphinx right.
    Burgos (2008) 709; Ripolles 905; Villaronga 14.

    Here's a link people might find interesting, easy to use, just click on the map and it gives you a list of known coins from that zone....
    http://moneda-hispanica.com/iberia.htm

    1-normal_1-IB3_TOGETHER-ccfopt (1).jpg
     
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  16. Terence Cheesman

    Terence Cheesman Well-Known Member

    Bolskan ( Osca) denarius Obv. Head of bearded male Rv. Warrior riding right SNG BM Spain 691 4.98 grms 18mm. I have always admired this coinage but was frustrated for many years before I got one. Oddly enough it was a local dealer who found this coin for me. spain9.jpeg
     
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  17. Clavdivs

    Clavdivs Well-Known Member

    These are very attractive types.. there was one on eBay a month ago (or so) that I was in on... but I lost out. Is there any theory on who the "bearded male" or the "warrior" represents?
     
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  18. Sallent

    Sallent Live long and prosper

    A lot of these Iberian types feature a similar male head. Probably some major Celtic deity. I'm sure there's theories out there from scholars familiar with Iberian Celtic religion, but I personally don't know who it could be.
     
  19. Spaniard

    Spaniard Well-Known Member

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  20. doucet

    doucet Well-Known Member

    Three cuadrante from Castulo.

    The first one is the most recent that i have obtained, and the most rare.
    I'm hoping to get a better example of the third coin soon.

    The the fourth one is a denario from Turiasu.
    And the last one an AS from Kelse.

    Similar obv. and rev. images of a man's head and a horse and rider were minted by many cities in the north of the peninsula, in silver and bronze.


    castulo boar r9.jpg castulo cuadrante.jpg castulo boar.jpg

    Turiasu denarius.jpg
    As Kelse-001.JPG
     
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  21. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    Some of my Iberia Coins


    [​IMG]
    Carthage Iberia 218-208 BC 2nd Punic War AE 13 1-4 Calco Barcid Military Mint 2nd Punic War Tanit Helmet


    [​IMG]
    Iberia - Castulo AE14 Quarter Unit Bust - BOAR w-star 2nd C BCE


    [​IMG]
    Iberia Castulo Late 2nd C BC AE As 25mm Bust Nose Hand Sphinx
     
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