Wild Type

Corn ear with or without stalk, CA to left, MV to right/Horse right with dashes for mane, branch above, CVNO below

ABC2813, S293; 11mm, 1.33g

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 8-41 Gold Quarter Stater appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Wild Type

Corn ear with or without stalk, CA to left, MV to right, pellet in field/Horse right with dashes for mane, branch above, CVNO below

ABC2777, S285; 16mm, 5.37g

View Video Here

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 8-41 Gold Stater appeared first on Silbury Coins.

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

The post The London Collection 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.

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.

Bearded head left, hair and heavy beard of pellets. Cross of pellets in front.

Warrior with spear, body made of pellets, riding right. Pelletal sun (daisy) above and behind. Inscription below –TASCIA

Very Rare

A superb type, seldom found near the high grade of this example. Great portrait, horse and rider, inscription, silver.

View Video Here

ABC 2610; 14mm, 1.22g

Evans: VI.3 (1864, p. 239, pl. VI).
Evans: VI.4 (1864, p. 239, pl. VI).

Van Arsdell Classification: Trinovantian N, Earlier Dynastic Issues, Tasciovanus Second 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

C Rudd FPL 120, no 45. Found Cambridge.  VA 1745

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 Warrior Silver Unit *Very Rare* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Back-to-back crescents with arcs at the points, pellets between crescent arms, projecting chevron (three or five lines) and pellet design inside, on plain field.

Small annulate horse right with mane, neck either solid or of short upturned bars, and spindly legs. Spiral sun (wheel-like clockwise whorl) above. Branch (frond) below. Ringed pellet in front. Inscription around.

Rare

View Video Here

ABC 2511; 19mm, 5.53g

Evans: XIV.1 (1864, p. 367, pl. XIV).
Evans: XIV.3 (1864, p. 370, pl. XIV).

Van Arsdell Classification: Trinovantian K, Earlier Dynastic Issues, Addedomaros Third Coinage. VA 1635 – 01: Pellets and 5 lines in crescents.

Sills DK 484 (4 obverse, 12 reverse dies): North Thames Coinage; Type: Addedomaros; Staters: Class 1b – Shell Whorl. Uses an obverse die from Shell Inner Circle (ABC 2508). The reverse is similar to Shell Inner Circle without the circles around the obverse or around the whorl, and less carefully engraved letters.

Addedomaros could be Trinovantian or Catuvellaunian, or a ruler of both. His staters are similar to the Essex Banded, north-eastern coins with Cantian influence. They follow the sequence Shell – Crescent Cross – Spiral. The frond on Addedomaros Shell and coins of Dubnovellaunos in Essex and Tasciovanos may be a family emblem.

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

Spink PT June 1994 VA 1635-1

This coin comes with a previous label.

Addedomaros (c. 45–25/10 BC?)

Addedomaros appears to have been the first ruler in the north Thames sequence to place his name upon coins, perhaps a contemporary of his southern counterpart, Commios. His earliest coins, probably struck during the earlier 30s BC, are intriguingly of very similar general appearance to the uninscribed ‘Wonersh’ staters of the Atrebates – though their reverses bear a variation on the Latin inscription ‘ADDEDIIDOM’ (ABC 2514/BMC 2390–94). Some coins attributed to Addedomaros have been undertaken on stylistic grounds rather than their explicitly bearing his name, such as the increasingly common ‘Addedomaros flower’ quarter staters (ABC 2526/BMC 2416). His coins are generally found in Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Essex, though a number were found in the recent ‘Near Blythburgh’ hoard, buried in north east Suffolk. He is potentially the occupant of the so-called ‘Lexden tumulus’, a high-status Late Iron Age barrow burial from near Colchester, dating c. 15–10 BC. Amongst other things, the tomb contained a silver medal depicting the Roman emperor Augustus, a table and pieces of monumental statuary in bronze – suggesting its occupant was well engaged with trade networks and contacts from the Mediterranean world.

The post Catuvellauni Addedomaros c. 45–25 BC Floral Spiral Normal Type Gold Stater *Rare* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Back-to-back crescents with opposing arcs at the points (sometimes extending from the crescents), projecting chevron and pellet design inside, on plain field. Pellet border.

Small, full-bodied horse right with mane and thick, outstretched legs. Box with cross within below. Three-branch motif above with leaf at end of each. Inscription around.

Very Rare

Well struck on a large flan so much of the radial inscription showing, a premium coin.

View Video Here

ABC 2520; 15mm, 1.38g

Van Arsdell Classification: Trinovantian K, Earlier Dynastic Issues, Addedomaros Third Coinage.

Sills DK 490 (5 obverse, 9 reverse dies): North Thames Coinage; Type: Addedomaros; Quarter Staters: Class 1b – Shell Box. Die links with the obverse of Shell Box Thin Legs (ABC 2520) but the arcs on the points of the crescents become more prominent and the horse has thicker legs. The equivalent stater is the Shell Whorl (ABC 2511).

Addedomaros could be Trinovantian or Catuvellaunian, or a ruler of both. His staters are similar to the Essex Banded, north-eastern coins with Cantian influence. They follow the sequence Shell – Crescent Cross – Spiral. The frond on Addedomaros Shell and coins of Dubnovellaunos in Essex and Tasciovanos may be a family emblem.

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

Tony Carter Collection Aug 2008 VA 1638

This coin comes with a previous label.

Addedomaros (c. 45–25/10 BC?)

Addedomaros appears to have been the first ruler in the north Thames sequence to place his name upon coins, perhaps a contemporary of his southern counterpart, Commios. His earliest coins, probably struck during the earlier 30s BC, are intriguingly of very similar general appearance to the uninscribed ‘Wonersh’ staters of the Atrebates – though their reverses bear a variation on the Latin inscription ‘ADDEDIIDOM’ (ABC 2514/BMC 2390–94). Some coins attributed to Addedomaros have been undertaken on stylistic grounds rather than their explicitly bearing his name, such as the increasingly common ‘Addedomaros flower’ quarter staters (ABC 2526/BMC 2416). His coins are generally found in Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Essex, though a number were found in the recent ‘Near Blythburgh’ hoard, buried in north east Suffolk. He is potentially the occupant of the so-called ‘Lexden tumulus’, a high-status Late Iron Age barrow burial from near Colchester, dating c. 15–10 BC. Amongst other things, the tomb contained a silver medal depicting the Roman emperor Augustus, a table and pieces of monumental statuary in bronze – suggesting its occupant was well engaged with trade networks and contacts from the Mediterranean world.

The post Catuvellauni Addedomaros c. 45–25 BC X. Box (Shell Box) Gold Quarter Stater *Very Rare* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Cruciform design with crossed wreaths, the vertical wreath (when central crescents standing) is curved with the apex facing clockwise, both wreaths have large ringed pellets at each end. In the centre, long, thin back-to-back solid crescents with pellets at each tip separated by one, two or three pellets. Splayed V-shape with pellet at bottom and above in opposing angles. ‘Hidden face’ (linear crescent mouth, V-shaped forehead, pellets either side and below) in other angles.

Warrior holding carnyx riding rounded horse right with tail lifted high. Five-spoked wheel behind rear legs and above head. Inscription around the horse, starting above the tail, continuing below the tail, under the horse and ending in front. Single exergual line.

Scarce

A well struck and central coin, on a larger than usual flan for this type.

View Video Here

ABC 2562; 17mm, 5.43g

Evans: V.10 (1864, p. 231, pl. V).
Evans: XX.11 (1890, p. 541, pl. XX).

Van Arsdell Classification: Trinovantian N, Earlier Dynastic Issues, Tasciovanus Second Coinage. VA 1732 – 09: One pellet between crescents. A lacks a crossbar.

Sills Carnyx, Rotated Cross, High Tail (3 obverse, 4 reverse dies): North Thames Coinage; Type: Tasciovanos; Staters: Class 6b – Sills DK 510: Vertical wreath curved anticlockwise.

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

Most of Tasciovanos’s Second Coinage is likely to have been struck at Verlamion.

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 78 May 1994.  VA 1732-5

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 Warrior Gold Stater *Scarce* appeared first on Silbury Coins.