LOT 3005
Celtic Britannia. Regini AR Unit. Circa 55-45 BC. Sussex Lyre type.
Diademed head right, large curls for hair / Globular horse right, zigzag tail, wheel above, lyre leaning to left below. ABC 647; VA-; BMC 635; S-; CCI 95.0518. Near Extremely Fine. Lightly toned silver, well centred horse, clear lyre. Rare.(1.36gr, 13mm, 2h.).
ProvenanceFound Poynings, Sussex, January/February 1995.
Ex C. Hamlyn collection.
Ex Chris Rudd, 129, lot 17, ref. no.17126.
From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent.
As you can tell from the heavy weight and fine style (possibly engraved by a Gaulish die cutter), this must be one of the first silver units struck in Britain. A well documented, pedigree piece, with a beautifully bold globular horse.
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Celtic Britannia. Catuvellauni and Trinovantes, Cunobelin AR Unit. Circa AD 10-41. Cunobelinus Two Leaves type.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £494
Two crescents back-to-back, CV to left, N to right, two leaves above and below / Warrior on horse rearing up right, sword in right hand, CAM below. ABC 2888; VA 2047; BMC 1866-67; S 304. 1.31gr, 13mm, 10h.
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. -
Celtic Northeast Gaul. Bellovaci Potin Unit. 50-20 BC. Lazy S-Type.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Celticised head to left / Ƨ and three parallel lines flanking central line. DT 535. 1.49gr, 15mm.
Good Very Fine. Glossy patina. Rare.
Ex A. Clarke collection. Ex Chris Rudd, LL45, lot 10, ref. no.13702. From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent. -
Celtic Britannia. Tasciovanos AR Unit. Circa 20 BC-AD 10. Cavalryman type.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £221
TASC in central panel, two line beaded border / Helmetted horseman left, holding large shield. ABC 2640; VA 1800; BMC 1677; S 238; CCI 00.0374. 1.23gr, 12mm, 12h.
Good Very Fine. Bold, sharp TASC. Very rare.
Found Herts/Cambs border, UK. Ex L Tongue collection. Ex Chris Rudd, LL61, lot 38, ref. no.16261. From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent.
