LOT 3008
Celtic Northeast Gaul. Ambiani AR Fraction. Circa 75-50 BC. Picardy Horse Face type.
Stylised helmet head right, horse's head forming eye and nose / Horse right, with long beaded mane, six armed 'star' in front with ring at centre, two rings above, small horse's head below. LT 8500/8515 var.; BMC 156; Sch/ GB 51, fig. 330; DT 189; Allen 'Les pièces d'argent minces du comté de Hampshire', Revue Numismatique, VI série, VII (1965), p.79-93, pl.V, no.29. Good Very Fine. Toned, great horse, full 'star'. Very rare.(0.48gr, 13mm, 11h.).
ProvenanceEx Chris Rudd, 118, lot 5, ref. no.15074.
From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent.
As Derek Allen (1965) says, this extraordinary type was ultimately derived from the Pallas Athene silver coins of the Aulerci Cenomani (cf. LT 5967, 5973, 5980, 5985) and heavily influenced the Hampshire Thin Silver series of the British Belgae (ABC 911) and the Chichester Chariot Wheel thin silver of the Regini (ABC 701). This lovely example of the Picardy Horse Face explicitly shows a horse's head emerging from the forehead of the stylised head. The spear is also clearly displayed as part of the helmet. The spidery 'star' symbol in front of the horse can be seen again before the horse on the Yarmouth gold stater of the Regini (ABC 518).
TimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
TimeLine is a leading auction house specialising in antiquities, ancient art, collectables, natural history, coins, medals, and books. Our auctions offer museums, collectors, historians, and enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire unique and historically significant pieces.
-
Celtic Britannia. Iceni AV Quarter Stater. Circa 10 BC-AD 5. Irstead Smiler type.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £312
Branches projecting from latticed square / Long-legged horse right, beaded mane, crescent 'smile' above, ringed-pellet below. ABC 1480; VA-; BMC 3437-38; S 430. 1.01gr, 10mm.
Near Extremely Fine. Rose gold.
Ex Michael Trenerry (dealer's ticket included). From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent. -
Celtic Britannia. Iceni AR Unit. Circa AD 10-43(?). Ece Y-Three type.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Double moon emblem. / Horse right, pelletal sun above, ECE below. VA 764; BMC 4431-444; S 445. 1.18gr, 13mm.
Near Extremely Fine. Magnificent sharp moons, two neck torcs in cusp.
Ex Chris Rudd, LL40, lot 37, ref. no.13515. From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent. -
Celts in Lower Danube AR Drachm. Circa 2nd century BC. Imitating Alexander III of Macedon.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £247
Celticized head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / ΑΛΙΕΛΛΙU, celticised Zeus seated to left on low throne, holding long sceptre in his left hand and eagle standing to right with closed wings in his right; to left, monogram; beneath throne, Δ. Lanz 936-8; Lukanc pl. 7, 9 var.; OTA 591/1 var. 4.02gr, 18mm, 12h.
Good Very Fine.
Ex A. Cotterall collection. From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent.
.jpg&width=0&height=110&crop=0&heightc=110&widthc=110)