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.

TINCOM  COMMI  in 2 lines/Horse left, pellet mane, sun wheel above, bird? below

Very Rare

View Video Here

ABC 1073; 9mm, 1.20g

An especially sharply struck example with clear legends, often this small module type is prone to die clogging which obscures the inscription, a premium coin.

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, 1997  Spink COE 2026 plate coin  VA 365-1

This coin comes with a previous label.

Tincomarus (25 BC–AD 10?)

Striking both in gold and silver, Tincomarus is notable in that he is one of several Atrebatic rulers to style himself ‘COM F’ on coinage – an abbreviation of the Latin Commii Filius (‘son of Commius’). His issues are highly variable, being divided into no fewer than four different styles. These demonstrate a clear shift from indigenous art-styles towards Classically-influenced motifs, which often employ designs derived from contemporary Roman prototypes. The latter has been suggested as evidence that Tincomarus spent time in Rome as a hostage, which in all likelihood exposed him to a plethora of Classical art in various mediums. No finer example of this exists in his coinage than the so-called ‘Tincomarus Warrior’ staters (e.g. ABC 1061/BMC 767–8), the reverse featuring an equestrian design lifted directly from Republican denarii of 82 BC, struck by the moneyer P. Crepusius. He appears in Augustus’ Res Gestae, being named as a suppliant British king alongside the Kentish Dubnovellaunos.

The post Regini & Atrebates Tincomarus c. 25 BC – AD 10 Tincomarus Tincom Commi Gold Quarter Stater *Very Rare* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

COMF in tablet/ Horse right, TIN above, reversed C below, wreath border

Rare

View Video Here

ABC 1085; 9mm, 1.19g

A well struck example with clear legends and detail.

Provenance

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

Baldwins PT 1993 (M Sharp) VA 390

This coin comes with a previous label.

Tincomarus (25 BC–AD 10?)

Striking both in gold and silver, Tincomarus is notable in that he is one of several Atrebatic rulers to style himself ‘COM F’ on coinage – an abbreviation of the Latin Commii Filius (‘son of Commius’). His issues are highly variable, being divided into no fewer than four different styles. These demonstrate a clear shift from indigenous art-styles towards Classically-influenced motifs, which often employ designs derived from contemporary Roman prototypes. The latter has been suggested as evidence that Tincomarus spent time in Rome as a hostage, which in all likelihood exposed him to a plethora of Classical art in various mediums. No finer example of this exists in his coinage than the so-called ‘Tincomarus Warrior’ staters (e.g. ABC 1061/BMC 767–8), the reverse featuring an equestrian design lifted directly from Republican denarii of 82 BC, struck by the moneyer P. Crepusius. He appears in Augustus’ Res Gestae, being named as a suppliant British king alongside the Kentish Dubnovellaunos.

The post Regini & Atrebates Tincomarus c. 25 BC – AD 10 Tincomarus Tinc Horse Gold Quarter Stater *Rare* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

COMI in tablet, pellet in ring above and below/Horse rearing right, VI above

Scarce

View Video Here

ABC 1199; 9mm, 1.17g

A crisp, central strike on both sides.

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, 1997. ex Vecci auction 2, lot 973. 1996 VA 466 var.

This coin comes with a previous label.

Verica (AD 10–40)

Perhaps the best-known ‘son of Commios’, Verica appears to have been a contemporary of Cunobelin. His rule appears to have been relatively lengthy, although towards its late stages we begin to see evidence of instability – perhaps stimulated by the rise of Trinovantian-affiliated rulers such as Epatticus and Caractacus. Much like his predecessors Tincomarus and Epilllus, he struck only coins of gold and silver – with none of bronze currently known. From a stylistic point of view, some of his coins demonstrate continuity with earlier types, such as the ‘Verica Warrior Rex’ gold staters (ABC 1190/BMC 1146–58). These, depicting ‘COM F’ in a rectangular tablet on the obverse and a mounted warrior on the reverse, are virtually identical to the ‘Tincomarus Warrior’ types. Other issues of Verica represent the apogee of Classical influence upon Late Iron Age coinage. Motifs such as vine leaves, cornucopiae, ships prows, wine cups, shrines and sphinxes are all evidenced, with particularly diverse iconography to be found on his unusually extensive series of silver minims. Such images attest to the growing influence of Rome and the extent to which Classical art was beginning to permeate Iron Age Britain at multiple levels.

Like Tincomarus, we find Verica in Roman sources – the 3rd century historian Dio Cassius relating as follows in his Roman History:

‘Aulus Plautius…led a campaign against Britain, for a certain Bericus, who had been driven from the island as a result of an uprising, had persuaded Claudius to send a force there’ (Book LX, chapter 19).

On the basis of this, one could make the amusing observation that the Claudian invasion of Britain and institution of Britannia as a Roman province was at least partially stimulated by the efforts of a disgruntled Iron Age exile.

The post Regini & Atrebates Verica c. AD 10 – 40 Verica Little Horse Rearing Gold Quarter Stater *Scarce* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Diademed head left, TINCOMARVS around/Horse left with lyre above, animals head below

Rare

ABC 1100; 13mm, 1.26g

A fantastic portrait and horse, helped by this example being struck in good silver, better than is usually seen for this type.

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 15, no 11. VA 473-1

This coin comes with a previous label.

Tincomarus (25 BC–AD 10?)

Striking both in gold and silver, Tincomarus is notable in that he is one of several Atrebatic rulers to style himself ‘COM F’ on coinage – an abbreviation of the Latin Commii Filius (‘son of Commius’). His issues are highly variable, being divided into no fewer than four different styles. These demonstrate a clear shift from indigenous art-styles towards Classically-influenced motifs, which often employ designs derived from contemporary Roman prototypes. The latter has been suggested as evidence that Tincomarus spent time in Rome as a hostage, which in all likelihood exposed him to a plethora of Classical art in various mediums. No finer example of this exists in his coinage than the so-called ‘Tincomarus Warrior’ staters (e.g. ABC 1061/BMC 767–8), the reverse featuring an equestrian design lifted directly from Republican denarii of 82 BC, struck by the moneyer P. Crepusius. He appears in Augustus’ Res Gestae, being named as a suppliant British king alongside the Kentish Dubnovellaunos.

The post Regini & Atrebates Tincomarus c. 25 BC – AD 10 Tincomarus Diadem Silver Unit *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) 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.

BODVOC on plain field/3 tailed horse right with wheel below, crescent and 2 ringed pellets above forming hidden face

Rare

A premium example with near full inscription.

View Video Here

ABC 2039 (plate coin); 18mm, 5.45g

Evans: I.1 (1864, p. 134, pl. I).
Evans: I.2 (1864, p. 134, pl. I).

Van Arsdell Classification: Dobunnic C, Coins Inscribed Bodvoc.

Coins of the Dobunni (Peter Healy) Phase 2: 9b ‘Eight Spoke’. Wheel has eight spokes. 77 known.

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 31, no 45. Found south of Birmingham 1997. CCI 98.0492. ABC plate coin. Spink COE 2026 plate coin (388) VA 1052

This coin comes with a previous label.

The post Dobunni Bodvoc c. 25-5 BC Bodvoc Bold Gold Stater *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.

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.