LOT 2996
Celtic Britannia. Tasciovanos AR Unit. Early 1st century AD. Regal Rider type.
VER in plain field, beaded border / Horseman right. ABC 2625; VA 1747; BMC 1674-76; S 234. Good Very Fine. Full VER, bold horseman. Very rare.(1.16gr, 13mm, 3h.).
ProvenanceEx Chris Rudd, LL74, lot 34, ref. no.18337.
From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent.
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AUCTIONS:
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Celtic Britannia. Atrebates and Regni, Commius AR Unit. Circa 50-25 BC. Commios Ladder Head Wheel type.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £624
Moon head left, lentoid eye, ladder-like hair, small phallic face in front / Horse left, wheel above, double ring in front, uncertain animal below. ABC 1034; VA 355-5; BMC 758; S 69. 1.28gr, 11mm, 3h.
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. -
Celtic Britannia. Atrabates and Regni, Verica AR Unit. AD 10-20.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £221
Thyrsus between two cornucopiae, two-handled wine cup below, COM-[MI F] around / Long-robed figure seated right, with left hand raised, VERI-CA around. ABC 1241; VA 531; BMC 1393-419; S 134. 1.27gr, 11mm, 6h.
Good Very Fine.
Ex Spink. From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent. -
Celtic Britannia. Atrebates and Regni, Verica AR Unit. Circa AD 10-40. Southern mint. Head on Spear type.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £442
Bull butting to right, VERICA above, REX below / Female standing to left, head on spear behind, COM-MI F around. ABC 1235; VA 506; BMC 1450-84; S 137. 1.12gr, 12mm, 6h.
Good Very Fine. Sharply struck on toned silver, lovely figure, sharp VERICA.
Ex Dr Josef Brewi collection. Ex Chris Rudd, 135, lot 16, ref. no.17852. From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent.
The king's name, which may mean something like 'manly', is completely and clearly displayed on this coin. The butting bull is copied from coins of Augustus. Dr John Creighton thinks the head on the spear may be that of Commios and may refer to 'a possible cult of Commius' (Coins and power in Late Iron Age Britain, 2000, 191-93). An intriguing insight.
