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

Very Rare

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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

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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

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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.

Wreath design with hidden face/Triple tailed horse with beaded mane, floral sun above and wheel below

Rare

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ABC500; 12mm, 1.22g

Provenance

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

CNG auction 75, lot 5, 2007.  VA 222

This coin comes with a previous label.

Atrebates

A distinct grouping whose ancestral heartlands in Britain appear to sit within the region now comprising Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire. Coins from late in the Atrebatic series name their capital, Calleva – which would become the Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum (modern Silchester).

Early uninscribed issues struck in the tribe’s British zone of influence include the so-called ‘Westerham’ type staters (ABC 482/BMC 24–32), whose abstract designs are based upon gold Macedonian staters. The Westerham staters themselves probably provided the inspiration for both Belgic staters of the Chute type, as well as later Cranborne Chase staters of the Durotriges. A particularly beautiful type of uninscribed Atrebatic quarter stater with numerous die varieties is the so-called ‘Selsey Dahlia’ (ABC 500/503/BMC 478–94), which displays a flower-like sun design above the reverse horse. Inscribed issues seem to appear from about 30 BC onwards, naming individuals such as Commios, Tincomarus, Eppillus and Verica. Commios appears to have held particular influence, as the latter three issuers all make claim to be his sons upon their coinages – perhaps a way of legitimising their authority.

Regni/Regini

The Regni, sometimes referred to as the Regini, appear to have occupied what is today the western portion of West Sussex – their tribal civitas probably underlying what became the Roman town of Noviomagus Reginorum (Chichester). Regnian coinage is characterised not only by its sheer diversity, but also scarcity. Indeed, many of the key types are extremely rare. This is perhaps exemplified best by many of the tribe’s quarter-staters, of which no fewer than forty varieties are listed by ABC.

The post Regini & Atrebates 1st Century BC Selsey Dahlia Mane Type Gold Quarter Stater *Rare* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Wreath design with hidden face/Triple tailed horse right, beaded mane, floral sun above and wheel below

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ABC509; 15mm, 1.40g

well struck on a large flan, good detail and little wear, 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

C Rudd FPL 117, no 20.  VA 226

This coin comes with a previous label.

Atrebates

A distinct grouping whose ancestral heartlands in Britain appear to sit within the region now comprising Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire. Coins from late in the Atrebatic series name their capital, Calleva – which would become the Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum (modern Silchester).

Early uninscribed issues struck in the tribe’s British zone of influence include the so-called ‘Westerham’ type staters (ABC 482/BMC 24–32), whose abstract designs are based upon gold Macedonian staters. The Westerham staters themselves probably provided the inspiration for both Belgic staters of the Chute type, as well as later Cranborne Chase staters of the Durotriges. A particularly beautiful type of uninscribed Atrebatic quarter stater with numerous die varieties is the so-called ‘Selsey Dahlia’ (ABC 500/503/BMC 478–94), which displays a flower-like sun design above the reverse horse. Inscribed issues seem to appear from about 30 BC onwards, naming individuals such as Commios, Tincomarus, Eppillus and Verica. Commios appears to have held particular influence, as the latter three issuers all make claim to be his sons upon their coinages – perhaps a way of legitimising their authority.

Regni/Regini

The Regni, sometimes referred to as the Regini, appear to have occupied what is today the western portion of West Sussex – their tribal civitas probably underlying what became the Roman town of Noviomagus Reginorum (Chichester). Regnian coinage is characterised not only by its sheer diversity, but also scarcity. Indeed, many of the key types are extremely rare. This is perhaps exemplified best by many of the tribe’s quarter-staters, of which no fewer than forty varieties are listed by ABC.

The post Regini & Atrebates 1st Century BC Bognor Cogwheel Mane Type Gold Quarter Stater appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Head right, VIR to front, FO behind/Capricorn left, EPPI above and COMF below

Extremely Rare

ABC435; 15mm, 1.26g

View Video Here

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 68, no 16. CCI 03.0080 ex Cotswold collection VA 443

This coin comes with a previous label.

Verica (AD 10–20)

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 Cantiaci Verica c. AD 10-20 Capricorn Silver Unit *Extremely Rare* 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.

Gold Quarter Stater

Criss cross chisel marks/Horse left with lyre below and rider above.

Scarce

ABC37; 15mm, 1.85g

An attractive example of type, rarely do we see as much of the horse and rider.

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 & Son PT, 1997 VA 37-1

This coin comes with a previous label.

Iron Age Gallo Belgic & early uninscribed coins are found all over Britain. These coins were made in Gaul then imported during the 2nd-1st Century BC, before coin manufacture was established in Britain. The introduction of Britain’s own coinage in around 60-50 BC was in an uninscribed form to start with, only later did rulers realise the potential of inscriptions.

The post Gallo Belgic Nervii? 2nd Century BC Crossed Lines with Rider Gold Quarter Stater *Scarce* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Plain/Horse left, corded triangle above and cross hatched net below

Rare

ABC198; 13mm, 1.29g

Struck on a large flan showing good 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.

M Vosper, FPL 80, lot 94. Found Rochester, Kent. VA 151

This coin comes with a previous label.

Cantiaci

 ‘Of all the Britons the inhabitants of Kent, an entirely maritime district, are by far the most civilised, differing but little from the Gallic manner of life.’

Caesar, De Bello Gallico, book V, chapter 13.

The modern county of Kent was, according to the Romans, the homeland of the Cantiaci or Cantii. The closest portion of mainland Britain to the Continent, it is unsurprising that in the Late Iron Age the region boasted strong links with north-east France – a legacy maintained to this day, one could argue, with the continued importance of Dover and Folkestone as key cross-channel ferry ports.

Kent’s earliest Iron Age coins (and indeed, probably the earliest indigenously-produced British coins) are represented by cast bronze pieces called potins, whose alloy has a high tin content. On the basis of single finds and hoards, we know that imported gold in the form of Gallo-Belgic coinage was widely used in Kent at around the same time as the potins.

The somewhat mysterious series of uninscribed Kentish gold, including the so-called ‘Weald Net’ staters (ABC 177/BMC 2466) and ‘Corded Triangle’ quarter staters (ABC 198/BMC 2469–71) were probably struck c. 50–30/25 BC, they perhaps slightly precede a diverse group of uninscribed silver and bronze issues.

Inscribed issues belong towards the end of the Kentish coin-sequence, as is invariably the general case in Late Iron Age Britain. Their production probably began from c. 25 BC onwards and runs onward till shortly before the Claudian invasion. It is worth noting that at this time, Kent seems to have been taken over to varying extents by rulers from neighbouring regions. These rulers in turn came to issue coins in the region, even though they themselves might not originate from it, nor it reflect their main power-base.

The post Cantiaci 1st Century BC Corded Triangle Gold Quarter Stater *Rare* appeared first on Silbury Coins.