Bognor Cogwheel Mane type

Wreath design with hidden face / 3 tailed horse right with beaded mane, floral sun above, cogwheel below

Very Rare

ABC509, S-; 12mm, 1.38g

Recorded with the Celtic Coin Index (09.4696)

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 c.60-50 BC Gold Quarter Stater *Very Rare* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Commios Moonhead

Moon head, vertical lentoid eye, curved wreath or ladder for hair, rings in front / Horse left with winged pellet in ring above

Very Rare

ABC1043, S70; 8mm, 0.29g

Commios (c. 50/30 BC–?)

In his account of the Gallic War, Caesar describes how he had appointed a man called Commius to be king over the Atrebates in Gaul, before sending him to Britain as an envoy to treat with the British tribes. Other information from both Caesar and related sources paints a treacherous picture, with Commius supposedly turning rebel and throwing his lot in with Vercingetorix during the Gallic rebellion. Fleeing to Britain after Caesar’s victory at Alesia, he apparently ruled there for the rest of his life. Because the earliest inscribed British staters of the Atrebates name an individual named ‘Commios’, it has become accepted in popular history that these are the same individuals – though it is highly unlikely that this is the case. We can attribute this conflation to the archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans, who felt that a concentration of Commius staters in Atrebatic territory was sufficient evidence in this regard. Simon Bean has re-dated the British gold staters inscribed ‘Commios’ to around 30 BC, which seems rather late to be the same Commius whom Caesar first sent to Britain in the 50s BC.

The post Regini & Atrebates Commios c. 50-25 BC Silver Minim *Very Rare* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Excessively Rare

ABC 1130 (Plate coin), S-, VA-

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 50, no 25. Found Winchester, Hants. CCI 00.0072

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 Victory Silver Unit *Excessively Rare* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Diademed head right, large curls for hair/Horse right, zigzag tail, lyre below, wheel above, S in front

Rare

ABC647; 14mm, 1.47g

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 84, no 3. Found West Hampriet, Chichester

This coin comes with a previous label.

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 1st Century BC Sussex Lyre Silver Unit *Rare* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Bust right wearing lionskin, CARA in front/Eagle standing holding snake

Rare

View Video Here

ABC 1376; 13mm, 1.31g

An above average example, well struck on a broad flan with dark tone to pleasing surfaces. Small die break over left wing of eagle.

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 04.12.1993, no 26. Spink COE 2026 plate coin (S364) VA 593-1

This coin comes with a previous label.

Caratacus (c. AD 40–43?)

Caratacus, one of at least three sons born to Cunobelin, is arguably the most famous of them all. This is due to his efforts in leading the British resistance during the Claudian invasion of AD 43 alongside his brother Togodumnus, the latter dying at some point during the fighting. Caratacus’s exploits are well recounted, having been romanticised since the 17th century. Noted for his guerrilla-style struggle, he was eventually betrayed by Queen Cartimandua of the Brigantes. Though sent to Rome in order to form part of Claudius’ victory parade, he impressed the Romans with his courage and was permitted to live out his days there. Before his ignominious reduction in status, Caratacus seems to have been largely responsible for reconquering the Atrebatic territory lost at Epaticcus’ death. His coins are extremely rare and desirable, known only today by one type of silver unit, the so called ‘Caratacus Eagle’ (ABC 1376/BMC 2376–84) and two types of silver minim.

The post Regini & Atrebates Caratacus c. AD 40 – 43 Caratacus Eagle Silver Unit *Rare* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Bearded head right, vine border/ Boar right, EPPL above, COM below

Rare

View Video Here

ABC 1163; 12mm, 1.26g

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 81, lot 1327, 2009. ex P DeVicci collection VA 416-1 var.

This coin comes with a previous label.

Good silver, wonderful boar.

Eppillus (20 BC – AD ?)

The second Atrebatic ruler to proclaim ‘COM F’ on his coins, Eppillus’ issues can be divided into two broad categories – those produced at the tribal civitas of Calleva (the imaginatively named ‘Calleva types’), and those seemingly struck in Kent (the equally imaginative ‘Kentish types’). On the basis of this, it is highly probable that Eppillus held some kind of influence either over or in Kent – although whether this was economic, territorial or military in nature is uncertain. Coin evidence does a lot of the heavy lifting in informing about his rule, as he is otherwise completely unknown to the historical record. His status as a king, or at least his desire to see himself portrayed as one, is revealed by one of his silver unit types – where the inscription ‘REX CALLE’ prominently appears (ABC 1160/BMC 1016–60). Robert van Arsdell theorised that Eppillus’ disappearance from the record might have arisen as a consequence of Cunobelin’s rise to power, suggesting that he was killed when the Trinovantes and Catavellaunii directed their territorial ambitions southwards into Kent.

The post Regini & Atrebates Eppillus c. 25 BC – AD 1 Eppillus Grapevine Silver Unit *Rare* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

COM.F in tablet/Warrior holding spear on horse right,  VIR behind, REX below

Scarce

ABC 1190; 17mm, 5.30g

View Video Here

Choice for issue, clear inscriptions both sides, well struck on a large flan, 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

CNG FPL XIX, no 368, 1994.  VA 500-1

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

Vine leaf, VI to left, RI to right/Warrior on horse holding shield and spear, C O F around

Scarce

View Video Here

ABC 1193; 17mm, 5.33g

Choice for issue, clear inscriptions both sides, well struck on a good flan, 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

M Vosper, 1998  VA 520

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 Vine Leaf Viri Gold Stater *Scarce* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Thunderbolt with COM above and FILI below/Horse right, VIR above

Very Rare

View Video Here

ABC 1205; 9mm, 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 Trenerry FPL March/April 1994, no D104 VA 468-1

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 Thunderbolt Gold Quarter Stater *Very Rare* appeared first on Silbury Coins.

Outline crescents back to back each side of wreath/Horse right, pellet on rump, ladder mane, floral sun below, uncertain object above

Extremely Rare

View Video Here

ABC626; 10mm, 1.19g

well struck and attractive in hand. 18 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

Spink PT, 1997. DK page 181, illustration 188 (renamed ‘Triple line crescents’) VA 250-1

This coin comes with a previous label.

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 1st Century BC Two Crescents Gold Quarter Stater *Extremely Rare* appeared first on Silbury Coins.