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Ancient Art, Antiquities, Books, Natural History & Coins
Near Extremely Fine. Sharply struck in lightly toned silver, super head, full hidden face. Very rare.
Ex Chris Rudd, 129, lot 22, ref. no.17214. From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent.
One of the finest known specimens of this extraordinary silver unit, first attributed to Commius by Robert Van Arsdell. The weird little face we see hovering before the slant-eyed moon-head (note the proximity of the nose and parted lips) also occurs on the gold staters of Commius and the Selsey Two-Faced stater.
Very Fine.
From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent.
Good Very Fine. Glossy brown patina, beautiful boar, well centred round flan. Very rare type. Extremely rare variant.
Found Springhead, Kent, in 2002. Ex Matthew Rich collection. Ex Chris Rudd, 123, lot 9, ref. no.16321. From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent.
Boars are associated with forests; so we may suppose the branch represents a forest of trees. On the other hand it could be a victory palm-branch. The pentagram can be seen on other Cantian coins (ABC 249, 282, 309 and 354) and on the North Thames Dragon Cross silver unit (ABC 2258).
Good Fine. Repaired.
Acquired on the UK art market since the early 2000s. Property of a Lincolnshire gentleman, thence by descent.
Good Very Fine. Dark toned silver, beautifully ornamented.
Found Rothwell Top, Lincolnshire, UK, April 1994. Ex Michael O'Bee collection. Ex Chris Rudd, 117, lot 37, ref. no.14240. From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent.
The two great things about coins from the celebrated Michael O'Bee collection of Corieltavian coins is that (1) they are in beautiful condition, and (2) they come with secure provenances. This lovely Proto Boar silver unit, for example, was found at Rothwell Top, Lincs., in April 1994.
Fine.
Acquired on the UK art market since the early 2000s. Property of a Lincolnshire gentleman, thence by descent.
Good Fine.
Acquired on the UK art market before 2000. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.
Good Very Fine. Bold figures. Very rare.
Found Newbury, Berkshire, UK, on 5 October 2010. Ex Chris Rudd, LL57, lot 45, ref. no.15387. From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent.
Good Very Fine. Fabulous warrior, bold CAM. Very rare.
Ex Gary Leeke collection. Ex Chris Rudd, 122, lot 50, ref. no.15518. From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent.
The two-moon vegetal motif could possibly be seen as a reinterpretation of the obverse of the Tasciovanos Quatrefoil gold quarter stater (ABC 2583) or Tasciovanos Capricorn silver unit (ABC 2619). John Evans says: "The type of the obverse is quite new, and seems to be formed of two ivy(?) leaves with berries on either side. In general character, however, the device recalls the winged thunderbolt on a denarius of the Salvia family" [struck for Octavian, early 40 BC, Sear RCV 1541, RRC 523/1] (The Coins of the Ancient Britons, Supplement, 1890, p.566). Chris Rudd is sure that the two leaves are ivy leaves. Evergreen ivy symbolises enduring strength and the eternal cycle of death (leaf facing down) and rebirth (leaf facing up), a visual idea repeated by the two crescent moons - one waxing (dying), the other waning (born again). Ivy climbs up oak trees - trees sacred to the druids whose very name means 'oak-knowers', holy men with strong insight. Chris Rudd thinks that the ivy leaves on this coin were drawn from life, not copied from a coin or gemstone. Ivy leaves can occasionally be seen in miniature on Roman coins (for example, Sear RCV 298 and 362) but bear little resemblance to these two large leaves. The English word 'ivy', along with the names Ivo, Yvonne, Yvette and St.Ives, are all probably linked to the Celtic word ivos 'yew' - another evergreen.
Good Very Fine. Clear inscription, dark green patina. Extremely rare.
Ex Michael J. Grover collection. Ex Chris Rudd, 122, lot 51, ref. no.13926. From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent.
Near Very Fine.
Acquired on the UK art market before 2000. Property of an Essex, UK, gentleman.
Good Very Fine. Dark holly-green patina.
Found Essex, spring 2001. Ex D Lee collection. Ex Chris Rudd, LL73, lot 44, ref. no.18135. From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent.
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