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. 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
Great looking coin @Sallent ! I really like these charging spearmen! CELTIBERIA / Non-Roman Spain OSCA Spain AR silver denarius 204-154 BC. Head r beard -N behind - Horseman spear, Iberian PMAN BOLSCAN Burgos 1501 Villaronga 3 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
Very nice coin @Sallent , I really like the design on Iberian coins in general. Here's a bronze from the city of Ekualakos:
Nice! 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 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
Here are my other Celtic coinage 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! 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!
That's a GREAT addition! It's been on my list too, but just not high enough to actively search. 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 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 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.
It's pretty humble, but this is my favorite Iberian coin: 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.
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. 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.
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
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.
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
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.
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?
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.
@Sallent..Just read this and thought you might find it interesting... https://kingsandconquerors.fandom.com/wiki/Celtiberians/History
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.
Some of my Iberia Coins Carthage Iberia 218-208 BC 2nd Punic War AE 13 1-4 Calco Barcid Military Mint 2nd Punic War Tanit Helmet Iberia - Castulo AE14 Quarter Unit Bust - BOAR w-star 2nd C BCE Iberia Castulo Late 2nd C BC AE As 25mm Bust Nose Hand Sphinx