Catuvellauni Tasciovanos c. 25 BC-AD 10 Warrior Gold Stater *Scarce*

Catuvellauni Tasciovanos c. 25 BC-AD 10 Warrior Gold Stater

Scarce

ABC 2562 (plate coin), 17mm, 5.48g

An exceptional coin, sharp detail and perfectly centred on both sides.

Obverse

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.

Reverse

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

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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 102, no 43 (2008). CCI 08.9306 Kretz type A/BI/IIA. ABC Plate coin  VA1732-9

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.