From a collection over 30 years in the making, covering the whole range of Ancient British coinage, and including many ABC/Spink plate coins, this collector, exercising careful and methodical selection bought only the best pieces, helped by long-term acquisition during the ‘golden years’, when new discoveries were plentiful. This shows in the overall quality and completeness of the collection.

Whether gleaming, impressive gold staters or intricately cut silver units bearing the only surviving portraits from Britain’s ancient past are your thing, this collection has all that and more in abundance.

For more information and to view coins available now visit:

The London Collection – Silbury Coins : Silbury Coins

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Corn ear (barley) without central stalk, with three or (rarely) four pairs of grains, bristles from top rows, stalk springs from a single curl to the right of the base. Inscription (CA MV) either side.

Regular horse prancing right, widely-spaced front legs, spiky mane, feathered tail, often small head on thick neck. Branch above. Inscription (CVNO) below.

Minted at Camulodunum, modern-day Colchester, United Kingdom

Scarce

ABC 2813; 11mm, 1.30g

Evans: IX.13 (1864, p. 303, pl. IX).
Evans: XXII.7 (1890, p. 564, pl. XXII).

Van Arsdell Classification: Trinovantian V, Coinage of Cunobeline, Restoration Period (Heavy Staters), Wild Type Gold Coins.

Sills Wild B (7 obverse, 12 reverse dies): North Thames Coinage; Type: Cunobelinus; Quarter Staters: Class 5 – Wild B. Associated with the Wild B stater (ABC 2783).
Sills DK 584: Three pairs of grains. CVNO on exergual line.

Sills chronology: Gallo-Belgic Ca – British G (Early Clacton) / Aa Westerham – British La (Whaddon Chase) – British Lb (Westbury) – Addedomaros – Dubnovellaunos – Tasciovanos – Cunobelinus (Biga – Linear – Wild – Plastic – Classic).

Styled as son of Tasciovanus on some of his coins, Cunobelin appears to have ruled over the unified territories of the Trinovantes and Catuvellauni, with additional territory in Kent. It has been estimated from a study of known dies that around one million of his gold corn ear staters were produced (although most will have been melted down for proceeding coinage) and his main centre and mint was at Camulodunum (Colchester).

Provenance

This coin is from The London Collection of Ancient British Coins. For more information click here: The London Collection – Silbury Coins : Silbury Coins

M Vosper PT Nov 1996. Spink COE 2026 plate coin (290) VA 2015 var.

This coin comes with a previous label.

Cunobelin (c. AD 10–40)

Shakespeare’s Cymbeline, based on his extensive bronze coinage Cunobelin appears to have been a son of Tasciovanos – where he is often styled ‘CVNOBELINI TASCIOVANI F’ (Cunobelin, Son of Tasciovanos). Writing in the early 1st century AD, the Roman historian Suetonius erroneously refers to Cunobelin as ‘Brittanorum Rex’ – King of the Britons. While this may exaggerate his power and influence somewhat, it is evident that he was viewed by the Romans as a key figure within the region. He was potentially sponsored or endorsed in some way by Rome’s first emperor, Augustus. Indeed, like Verica, many of his coins (especially those of silver and bronze) show high levels of classical influence.

As a ruler in his own right, Cunobelin’s first act seems to have been to finish the task begun by his father, definitively exerting control over both Camulodunon and the Trinovantian territory surrounding it. Numismatic evidence for this can be found in the prolific quantities of gold staters and quarter-staters he struck at the settlement, which depict a corn-ear flanked by the inscription ‘CAMV’. Having solidified his holdings north of the Thames, it seems that Cunobelin extended his influence into Kent. Indeed, many of his coins are found there, as are those of his probable son – Adminius (Amminus). The subsequent power vacuum caused by his death in AD 40, followed by a brief period of instability which seems to have manifested across much of eastern and southern Britain, would be quickly filled following the Claudian invasion of AD 43 – an event which changed Britain forever.

The post Catuvellaunii & Trinovantes Cunobelinus c. AD 8-40 Wild Type Gold Quarter Stater *Scarce* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Corn ear (barley) with central stalk, four symmetrical pairs of corn, bold bristles, an ornate, flourishing scroll at the base of the stem. Inscription (CA MV) either side.

Neat horse rearing right. Branch above. Inscription (CVNO) below.

Minted at Camulodunum, modern-day Colchester, United Kingdom

Very Rare

View Video Here

ABC 2822; 10mm, 1.35g

Sills DK 589 (2 obverse, 8 reverse dies): North Thames Coinage; Type: Cunobelinus; Quarter Staters: Class 7b – Classic A, Scroll Stem. Based on the Classic A Scroll Stem (ABC 2798), which is the equivalent stater and struck at the same time as the Classic A, Bow Stem (Sills 587) and Classic A Scroll Stem quarters. The scroll is a reduced version of the stater’s, with pellet serifs in CAMV. It has a reverse die link with Classic A, Bow Stem quarters.

Sills chronology: Gallo-Belgic Ca – British G (Early Clacton) / Aa Westerham – British La (Whaddon Chase) – British Lb (Westbury) – Addedomaros – Dubnovellaunos – Tasciovanos – Cunobelinus (Biga – Linear – Wild – Plastic – Classic).

Provenance

This coin is from The London Collection of Ancient British Coins. For more information click here: The London Collection – Silbury Coins : Silbury Coins

Davissons auction 12, lot 556 Nov 1999. ex Spink Sept 1996. Spink COE 2026 plate coin (296) VA 2038 var.

This coin comes with a previous label.

Cunobelin (c. AD 10–40)

Shakespeare’s Cymbeline, based on his extensive bronze coinage Cunobelin appears to have been a son of Tasciovanos – where he is often styled ‘CVNOBELINI TASCIOVANI F’ (Cunobelin, Son of Tasciovanos). Writing in the early 1st century AD, the Roman historian Suetonius erroneously refers to Cunobelin as ‘Brittanorum Rex’ – King of the Britons. While this may exaggerate his power and influence somewhat, it is evident that he was viewed by the Romans as a key figure within the region. He was potentially sponsored or endorsed in some way by Rome’s first emperor, Augustus. Indeed, like Verica, many of his coins (especially those of silver and bronze) show high levels of classical influence.

As a ruler in his own right, Cunobelin’s first act seems to have been to finish the task begun by his father, definitively exerting control over both Camulodunon and the Trinovantian territory surrounding it. Numismatic evidence for this can be found in the prolific quantities of gold staters and quarter-staters he struck at the settlement, which depict a corn-ear flanked by the inscription ‘CAMV’. Having solidified his holdings north of the Thames, it seems that Cunobelin extended his influence into Kent. Indeed, many of his coins are found there, as are those of his probable son – Adminius (Amminus). The subsequent power vacuum caused by his death in AD 40, followed by a brief period of instability which seems to have manifested across much of eastern and southern Britain, would be quickly filled following the Claudian invasion of AD 43 – an event which changed Britain forever.

The post Catuvellaunii & Trinovantes Cunobelinus c. AD 8-40 Classic Type Gold Quarter Stater *Very Rare* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Bulging corn ear (barley) with five pairs of oval grains (bristles from top three grains) and no central stalk. Inscription (CA MV) to left and right.

Short, regular stallion prancing right, spiky mane, feathered tail, often small head on thick neck. Branch and star above. Ringed pellet and inscription (CVNO) below.

Minted at Camulodunum, modern-day Colchester, United Kingdom

Scarce

View Video Here

ABC 2783; 18mm, 5.48g

Evans: IX.7 (1864, p. 299, pl. IX).

Van Arsdell Classification: Trinovantian V, Coinage of Cunobeline, Restoration Period (Heavy Staters), Wild Type Gold Coins. Van Arsdell lists two variants:
VA 1933 – 01: Large star above horse.

Sills DK Wild B (15 obverse, 25 reverse dies): North Thames Coinage; Type: Cunobelinus; Staters: Class 5 – Wild B. DK 561: Small head on thick neck.

Associated with the Wild B quarter (ABC 2813).

Sills chronology: Gallo-Belgic Ca – British G (Early Clacton) / Aa Westerham – British La (Whaddon Chase) – British Lb (Westbury) – Addedomaros – Dubnovellaunos – Tasciovanos – Cunobelinus (Biga – Linear – Wild – Plastic – Classic).

Provenance

This coin is from The London Collection of Ancient British Coins. For more information click here: The London Collection – Silbury Coins : Silbury Coins

M Vosper PT Oct 1997. Spink COE 2026 plate coin (283) VA 1933-3

This coin comes with a previous label.

Cunobelin (c. AD 10–40)

Shakespeare’s Cymbeline, based on his extensive bronze coinage Cunobelin appears to have been a son of Tasciovanos – where he is often styled ‘CVNOBELINI TASCIOVANI F’ (Cunobelin, Son of Tasciovanos). Writing in the early 1st century AD, the Roman historian Suetonius erroneously refers to Cunobelin as ‘Brittanorum Rex’ – King of the Britons. While this may exaggerate his power and influence somewhat, it is evident that he was viewed by the Romans as a key figure within the region. He was potentially sponsored or endorsed in some way by Rome’s first emperor, Augustus. Indeed, like Verica, many of his coins (especially those of silver and bronze) show high levels of classical influence.

As a ruler in his own right, Cunobelin’s first act seems to have been to finish the task begun by his father, definitively exerting control over both Camulodunon and the Trinovantian territory surrounding it. Numismatic evidence for this can be found in the prolific quantities of gold staters and quarter-staters he struck at the settlement, which depict a corn-ear flanked by the inscription ‘CAMV’. Having solidified his holdings north of the Thames, it seems that Cunobelin extended his influence into Kent. Indeed, many of his coins are found there, as are those of his probable son – Adminius (Amminus). The subsequent power vacuum caused by his death in AD 40, followed by a brief period of instability which seems to have manifested across much of eastern and southern Britain, would be quickly filled following the Claudian invasion of AD 43 – an event which changed Britain forever.

The post Catuvellauni & Trinovantes Cunobelinus c. AD 8-40 Wild Ring Type Gold Stater *Scarce* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Corn ear (barley) of three or four pairs of grains with clearly-defined central stalk and bristles rising from the grains in the top half, base of stem has two long arcs (leaves) either side. Short inscription (CA M) to left and right.

Horse prancing right, with ladder mane. Branch above with pellet above and below. Inscription (CVN) below.

Minted at Camulodunum, modern-day Colchester, United Kingdom

Rare

ABC 2810; 10mm, 1.34g

Evans: IX.14 (1864, p. 304, pl. IX).

Van Arsdell Classification: Trinovantian U, Coinage of Cunobeline, Restoration Period (Heavy Staters), Linear Type Gold Coins.

Sills Linear (8 obverse, 11 reverse dies): North Thames Coinage; Type: Cunobelinus; Quarter Staters: Class 2 – Linear. The equivalent stater is Linear (ABC 2774).

Sills chronology: Gallo-Belgic Ca – British G (Early Clacton) / Aa Westerham – British La (Whaddon Chase) – British Lb (Westbury) – Addedomaros – Dubnovellaunos – Tasciovanos – Cunobelinus (Biga – Linear – Wild – Plastic – Classic).

Provenance

This coin is from The London Collection of Ancient British Coins. For more information click here: The London Collection – Silbury Coins : Silbury Coins

M Vosper FPL 116 Jan 2001. VA 1927

This coin comes with a previous label.

Cunobelin (c. AD 10–40)

Shakespeare’s Cymbeline, based on his extensive bronze coinage Cunobelin appears to have been a son of Tasciovanos – where he is often styled ‘CVNOBELINI TASCIOVANI F’ (Cunobelin, Son of Tasciovanos). Writing in the early 1st century AD, the Roman historian Suetonius erroneously refers to Cunobelin as ‘Brittanorum Rex’ – King of the Britons. While this may exaggerate his power and influence somewhat, it is evident that he was viewed by the Romans as a key figure within the region. He was potentially sponsored or endorsed in some way by Rome’s first emperor, Augustus. Indeed, like Verica, many of his coins (especially those of silver and bronze) show high levels of classical influence.

As a ruler in his own right, Cunobelin’s first act seems to have been to finish the task begun by his father, definitively exerting control over both Camulodunon and the Trinovantian territory surrounding it. Numismatic evidence for this can be found in the prolific quantities of gold staters and quarter-staters he struck at the settlement, which depict a corn-ear flanked by the inscription ‘CAMV’. Having solidified his holdings north of the Thames, it seems that Cunobelin extended his influence into Kent. Indeed, many of his coins are found there, as are those of his probable son – Adminius (Amminus). The subsequent power vacuum caused by his death in AD 40, followed by a brief period of instability which seems to have manifested across much of eastern and southern Britain, would be quickly filled following the Claudian invasion of AD 43 – an event which changed Britain forever.

The post Catuvellauni & Trinovantes Cunobelinus c. AD 8-40 Linear Type Gold Quarter Stater *Rare* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Inscription (VIR) in panel with ring at each corner, on crossed wreaths.

Horse right, rein trailing from nose between forelegs and hindlegs. Inscription in front – VER

Extremely Rare

Minted at Verlamion, modern-day St Albans, United Kingdom (circa 20 BC – AD 43)

ABC 2631; 13mm, 1.32g

Provenance

This coin is from The London Collection of Ancient British Coins. For more information click here: The London Collection – Silbury Coins : Silbury Coins

M Vosper FPL 126, no 29, 2004.

This coin comes with a previous label.

Tasciovanos (c. 25 BC–AD 10)

Following on from Addedomaros, who may or may not have been his father, we find Tasciovanos – whose coinage is some of the most complex and extensive within the North Thames series. An apparently long-lived ruler, traditional narratives of the Late Iron Age cast him as a dynamic and decisive individual who laid the groundwork for the success of his own son, Cunobelin, by extending Catavellaunian influence eastwards into East Anglia and Kent. While his coins generally take influence from indigenous art styles, some ‘classification’ is visible (though to a relatively limited degree) on specific types within his issues of silver and bronze. Some of the most impressive North Thames issues are exemplified by his gold staters, such as the ‘Tasciovanos hidden faces’ and ‘Tasciovanos warrior’ types (ABC 2553/BMC 1591–1603/ABC 2571/BMC 1615–16), both of which employ highly stylised, geometric motifs on their obverse faces. This medium also can be found on numerous examples of his bronze coinage, such as on the highly enigmatic ‘Tasciovanos Verlamio’ type. Here, the obverse depicts an eight-pointed star with the mint-name (VERLAMIO) cleverly interspersed between the points.

The post Catuvellauni Tasciovanos c. 25 BC-AD 10 Trailing Rein Silver Unit *Extremely Rare* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Griffin right within three rings.

Pegasus left. Inscription below – TAS

Extremely Rare

well struck, dark grey/blue tone.

View Video Here

ABC 2649; 14mm, 1.31g

Evans: VI.6 (1864, p. 242, pl. VI).

Van Arsdell Classification: Trinovantian O, Earlier Dynastic Issues, Tasciovanus Third Coinage.

Provenance

This coin is from The London Collection of Ancient British Coins. For more information click here: The London Collection – Silbury Coins : Silbury Coins

Sotherbys auction April 1999, lot 76. Stack collection. CCI 82.0219 VA 1790-1 var.

This coin comes with a previous label.

Tasciovanos (c. 25 BC–AD 10)

Following on from Addedomaros, who may or may not have been his father, we find Tasciovanos – whose coinage is some of the most complex and extensive within the North Thames series. An apparently long-lived ruler, traditional narratives of the Late Iron Age cast him as a dynamic and decisive individual who laid the groundwork for the success of his own son, Cunobelin, by extending Catavellaunian influence eastwards into East Anglia and Kent. While his coins generally take influence from indigenous art styles, some ‘classification’ is visible (though to a relatively limited degree) on specific types within his issues of silver and bronze. Some of the most impressive North Thames issues are exemplified by his gold staters, such as the ‘Tasciovanos hidden faces’ and ‘Tasciovanos warrior’ types (ABC 2553/BMC 1591–1603/ABC 2571/BMC 1615–16), both of which employ highly stylised, geometric motifs on their obverse faces. This medium also can be found on numerous examples of his bronze coinage, such as on the highly enigmatic ‘Tasciovanos Verlamio’ type. Here, the obverse depicts an eight-pointed star with the mint-name (VERLAMIO) cleverly interspersed between the points.

The post Catuvellauni Tasciovanos c. 25 BC-AD 10 Griffin Silver Unit *Extremely Rare* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Head right. Inscription around – TASC ANDO

Capricorn-Pegasus right. Double pellet ring border.

Excessively Rare

Attractive green patina with good detail both sides.

View Video Here

ABC 2730; 15mm, 2.24g

Evans: VI.9 (1864, p. 245, pl. VI).

Van Arsdell Classification: Trinovantian Q, Uncertain Dynastic Issues, The “Interregnum”, Coins Inscribed Andoco.

Provenance

This coin is from The London Collection of Ancient British Coins. For more information click here: The London Collection – Silbury Coins : Silbury Coins

M Vosper PT, April 2003. ex C Brown collection VA 1873

This coin comes with a previous label.

Andoco (c. 20 BC – ?)

Writing in the 1940s, the numismatist Derek Allen described a group of relatively rare issuers who appeared to be striking coins towards the end of Tasciovanos’ reign. One of these appears on coinage as ‘Andoco’, an abbreviation extrapolated by Chris Rudd as reflecting either the name Andocomaros or Andocombogios. The distribution of his coins, while spread through the North Thames region, is particularly focused in Hertfordshire. ABC lists eight types struck in his name, of which four are bronze, two silver and two gold. While both gold types are very similar to issues of Tasciovanos, an intriguing feature of the silver and bronze coins is that their obverses universally depict clean-shaven male portraits in profile. An association with Tasciovanos is proven by ABC 2730, which bears the obverse legend ‘TASC ANDO’.

The post Catuvellauni Andoco c. 20-1 BC Tasc Ando Bronze Unit *Excessively Rare* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Saltire over cross within square. Wavy lines within double pellet border (a wreath of two lines of pellets, intertwined, for border, ring of pellets inside the wreath).

Boar right. Inscription above and below – DIASSV

Very Rare, especially with this inscription.

ABC 2742; 13mm, 1.20g

Van Arsdell Classification: Trinovantian R, Uncertain Dynastic Issues, The “Interregnum”, Coins Inscribed DIAS.

Sills compares the boar to that on Tasciovanos’s second coinage X Box silver (ABC 2628). The border is similar to Andoco’s Pegasus (ABC 2721) and Tasciovanos’s Wine Cup (ABC 2706). This places Diassu at a similar time to Andoco.

Sills chronology: Gallo-Belgic Ca – British G (Early Clacton) / Aa Westerham – British La (Whaddon Chase) – British Lb (Westbury) – Addedomaros – Dubnovellaunos – Tasciovanos.

Provenance

This coin is from The London Collection of Ancient British Coins. For more information click here: The London Collection – Silbury Coins : Silbury Coins

M Vosper FPL 79, no 28 1994. Spink COE 2026 plate coin (267), VA 1879.

This coin comes with a previous label.

Dias (c. AD 1–10?)

Another rare North Thames issuer who seems to sit somewhere in the early 1st century AD is Dias. He appears to have never struck any gold, but restricted himself to silver and bronze issues. Like Andoco, his preference seems to have been for obverses depicting male busts in profile – though there are some exceptions here. The presence of ‘VIR’ or ‘VER’ inscribed on some of his coins suggests they were struck at Verlamion.

The post Catuvellauni Dias c. AD 1-10 Dias Saltire Unit *Very Rare* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Inscription (CAMVL with ligate letters) in plain-line tablet with ringed pellets at either end, in centre of vertical wreath of small horizontal leaves either side of a solid line enclosed in round-cornered panels. Heart shaped ‘faces’ and splayed pellet V-shapes in opposite angles.

Biga (two-horse chariot) left with Roman Republic-style horses. Large leaf above, sometimes with pellet below. Four-spoked wheel below. Inscription (CVNO) below.

Minted at Camulodunum, modern-day Colchester, United Kingdom

Very Rare

A superb example of type, central strike with all detail clear and complete inscriptions on both sides.

View Video Here

ABC 2807; 10mm, 1.36g

Van Arsdell Classification: Trinovantian T, Coinage of Cunobeline, Restoration Period (Heavy Staters), Biga Type Gold Coins.

Rainer Kretz, “The biga gold of Cunobelinus”, BNJ 80, 2010:

Kretz Type B (Late):
Sills Biga (11 obverse, 10 reverse dies): North Thames Coinage; Type: Cunobelinus; Quarter Staters: Class 1 – Biga. A simplified version of the stater (ABC 2771).

Sills DK 573 var. 5 (Kretz B1): CAMVL with A-M-V ligate (bar on A often omitted) in plain-line panel, heart in top right and bottom left quadrants. Four-spoked wheel below horses, sometimes with pellets in quadrants of wheel. See CCI 95.0571, CCI 96.1101.

Sills chronology: Gallo-Belgic Ca – British G (Early Clacton) / Aa Westerham – British La (Whaddon Chase) – British Lb (Westbury) – Addedomaros – Dubnovellaunos – Tasciovanos – Cunobelinus (Biga – Linear – Wild – Plastic – Classic).

Provenance

This coin is from The London Collection of Ancient British Coins. For more information click here: The London Collection – Silbury Coins : Silbury Coins

C Rudd FPL 16, no 28. Found Colchester, Essex 1994. Martin Thompson coll. COE Plate coin S290 (2026) VA 1913-1

This coin comes with a previous label.

Cunobelin (c. AD 10–40)

Shakespeare’s Cymbeline, based on his extensive bronze coinage Cunobelin appears to have been a son of Tasciovanos – where he is often styled ‘CVNOBELINI TASCIOVANI F’ (Cunobelin, Son of Tasciovanos). Writing in the early 1st century AD, the Roman historian Suetonius erroneously refers to Cunobelin as ‘Brittanorum Rex’ – King of the Britons. While this may exaggerate his power and influence somewhat, it is evident that he was viewed by the Romans as a key figure within the region. He was potentially sponsored or endorsed in some way by Rome’s first emperor, Augustus. Indeed, like Verica, many of his coins (especially those of silver and bronze) show high levels of classical influence.

As a ruler in his own right, Cunobelin’s first act seems to have been to finish the task begun by his father, definitively exerting control over both Camulodunon and the Trinovantian territory surrounding it. Numismatic evidence for this can be found in the prolific quantities of gold staters and quarter-staters he struck at the settlement, which depict a corn-ear flanked by the inscription ‘CAMV’. Having solidified his holdings north of the Thames, it seems that Cunobelin extended his influence into Kent. Indeed, many of his coins are found there, as are those of his probable son – Adminius (Amminus). The subsequent power vacuum caused by his death in AD 40, followed by a brief period of instability which seems to have manifested across much of eastern and southern Britain, would be quickly filled following the Claudian invasion of AD 43 – an event which changed Britain forever.

The post Catuvellauni & Trinovantes Cunobelinus c. AD 8-40 Biga Type Gold Quarter Stater *Very Rare* appeared first on Silbury Coins.