Another mystery from the past. A people that time would love to have forgot, but would resurge and man they left us some fun, beautiful and mysterious coins Remember 390 BCE, when the Roman's got licked so bad by the Gaul/Celtic warriors that they didn't forgot for 700 years, what we call "the sacking of Rome"? Yeah, the Senones were known to be the leaders of the war band that fell on and captured Rome... still young in its republic (Gauls in Rome!?!?) After being subdued in 283, they slipped into history until... They show back up in Caesars commentaries! "The Sénones, whose name means the wise or the elders, controlled a vast territory that stretched between the south of Champagne and the north of Burgundy. Their main oppidum was Agedincum (Sens) which still retains the name of the ancient civitas today. They owned several other oppida like Auxerre, Tonnerre or Avallon. Divona seems to have been the main sanctuary of the Senons. Caesar had wintered six of his legions in 53 BC at Agedincum. Labienus, lieutenant and legate of Caesar, came to settle in the region of Sens between Gergovia and Alesia in order to control the roads and protect Caesar's armies from an attack by the Belgians or the Germans. Caesar (BG. II, 2; V, 54, 56; VI, 2, 3, 44; VII, 4, 10, 11, 34, 56-59, 62, 75). Ptolemy (G. II, 8, 9)." (As you can see, after migrating away from Rome, IF this is the same group and not another by the same name, they were degraded to a fairly small player north of the alps) After 51 BCE nothing is heard of this tribe... until now! Jk, but seriously Stop and take a look at these and please share anything!!!! I mean ANYTHING! As I doubt many have coins of this group that I recently fell head over heels for Enjoy: SENONS (region of Sens) (2nd - 1st centuries BC) potin with the dreadlocked warrior head and stylized animal N ° v28_0638 before 52 AC. Bronze, 18mm, 3.7g. Rarity degree: R2, VF / VF Reference in reference books: LT.manque - DT.2644 var. - PK.91 - Sch / L.753 var. - Sch / SM.- Obv: Heavily stylized dreadlocked warrior head on the right, seven strands pulled back representing the hair; the nose is very short and hooked. Rev: Stylized horse on the left, framed by two globules Comments about this copy: The treatment of the face is special; it is most likely one of the many variations and degenerations of the Senons' dreadlocked warrior head potin. Comments: This potin corresponds exactly to PC 21.15 says “dreadlocked warrior head potin with a ball nose and arched horse”. It differs from the PC 21.14 by the wicks that are not broken. Although the provenances are not numerous, most not differentiating between one dreadlocked warrior head gossip and another dreadlocked warrior head potin ... the Senon attribution seems valid. SENONS (region of Sens) Celtic (2nd - 1st centuries BC) Big-headed Potin/gossip before 52 BCE. Bronze Potin, 20mm Axis of the corners: 2h. 3.0g. Rarity degree: R1 Complete potin with beautiful reliefs, on the right and on the reverse. Pleasant, homogeneous anthracite gray patina. Reference in books: LT.7396 var. - DT.2646 Obv: Large helmeted head on the left between two bezants; eye represented by a globule. Rev: Horse passing to the left, surmounted by four globules placed in a T; two more approaching the front of the horse. GAUL, Senones. Circa 100-50 BC. Unit (Bronze, 15.3mm, 2.3 g 4). Celtic male head to right. Rev. YLLYCCI Abstract bird left, two pellets within wings; to right, pentagram and cross with pellet; below, two pellet-in-annulets. D&T 2635. Depeyrot, NC V 130. VF Celtic coins SENONES (Area of Sens) Bronze YLLYCCI with bird, class Va / Vc before 52 BCE. Bronze, 16.5 mm, 12 h. Weight: 3.2 g. Rarity: R1 Obv: Head straight, hair divided into big stylized curls, pulled back; in front of the mouth, a pointed ringlet surrounded by a beaded ringlet Rev: YLLYCCI, Bird on the left; behind, a pentagram and a Y; behind, two centered rings; under the bird's tail, a croisette with balled ends Catalog references: LT.7508 var. - DT.2636 - RIG.320 Grade: MS Any corrections and or help with attributions is appreciated, any and all Celtic/Gaul coins is fun and any thoughts or insights would be invited *updated to correct potin and dreadlocked warriors head, thanks to your help
Not sure if I'll ever come around to the coins themselves, but I did enjoy the writeup. Google translated the term "potin" (the alloy) into "gossip". If I'm not wrong, in this case, it seems to refer not just to the metal used, but the actual coin type or denomination. Maybe @Cucumbor can help?
Potin is an alloy of copper, tin and sometimes lead (sometimes with traces of other metals) widely used by the Gallic peoples to make their coins. Potin coins were most often cast and not struck. Its name is derived from the mixture of metals employed in the manufacture of pots. I think we can use the same word in English, can't we ?
Okay, that explains "gossip". What about "Indian-headed"? Where did Indian come from? French for native, perhaps? Very interesting write-up, BTW.
I don't know how to explain it correctly, but this same naming issue came up in one of my posts, and some users gave some good explanations. https://www.reddit.com/r/AncientCoi...5?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
LOL, I had the same question. I understand the "Indian Head" look, but whole-heartedly agree with @gsimonel ... that is NOT from the perspective of the original issuers of the coin! Wow, neat acquisition, @Ryro , and very interesting write-up. I would be curious IF there is any correlations between the Tribes / Names. Could had been offshoots / cousin tribes, or just similar names. HOWEVER, if they were hanging around in Gaul, and they WERE those Hero-Invaders of Rome, I am SURE Caesar would had exterminated him. After all, some of his justification of his self-ingratiation of conquering the Gauls was to avenge the Sack of Rome! I keep promising myself to pursue Celtic Coinage, and just have not done it yet. However, I will drop my one Celt that I have shown a few times before. I like it because it represents standing up to the Romans! Celtic Britain Iceni Boudicca 61 CE 1.03g Celt Hd r Celtic horse galloping Seaby 434 Scarce If you know the story, you know the disgust of the Romans...
Thanks for the kind words and help CT fam! Great example @JayAg47 and thanks for the link. That sheds some light on the subject. I'll be changing the definition from some old Americans quasi racist terminology to a more specific to what we know, "dreadlocked warrior head". And thanks for clarifying @Ocatarinetabellatchitchix. I'll update back to potin. And wonderful Boudicca example @Alegandron! I know the sad story and what the Roman's did to her and her daughters disgusts me So for retribution of my ancestors, here's one of them in full on berserk mode bringing the blade down on some legionaries:
