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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Curtis, post: 6411735, member: 26430&quot;][USER=112342]@JayAg47[/USER] -- This is another Celtic one (or Dacians, influenced by Celtic/La Tene culture), based on the Thrace, Odessos AE Units/Tetrachalkoi.</p><p><br /></p><p>It is abstract in the Celtic art type of way, but it actually has two representations of faces and a flower mixed into (or hidden, as they say, in &quot;Cheshire Cat Design&quot;) the abstract geometric pattern. The left facing bust appears when rotated 120&#039; left.</p><p><br /></p><p>I love this type because it illustrates that Celtic numismatic art looks different not because it is inept or unsophisticated, but because it was based on a different artistic philosophy and set of aesthetic principles. Rather than pursuing Greek realism, Celtic art was deliberately nonrepresentational, and sought to create beauty from abstract designs, geometric patterns, and imagery from nature.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1253913[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Celtic-Thracian Tribes. Imitating Thrace, Odessos. AE “Tetrachalkon” </b>(4.19g, 18mm). 3rd cent BC.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Obverse</b>: Rosette with five curvilinear petals extending from central node or ball, all within large wreath or whorl of abstract floral imagery.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Obverse </b>(12h): Celticized laureate head of Zeus facing right.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Obverse </b>(4h): “Hidden” head facing left.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Reverse</b>: Celticized horseman riding right. (No legend visible.)</p><p><br /></p><p><b>References</b>: Elsen 127, #92 (2015); Gorny &amp; Mosch 126, #1086 (2003); Forum #CE37411 &amp; #GB89084 (n.d.). Prototype: SNG BM 291; SNG Cop 670.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Notes</b>: Rare, unpublished; four known examples of similar/related types, citing only prototype. Cf. “Zaravetz” (Tsarevets), Kugelwange (“ball cheek”), Doppelkopf (Janiform) types.</p><p><br /></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Next:</b> An imitative that you find more interesting than the original.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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