Celts in Lower Danube AR Tetradrachm.

Rowntree Fern Leaf type. Wreath crossed by spike with four pellets, crescents below, stylised hair above / Annulate horse to right with ‘leaf-like’ tail, fern-like symbol and ringed-pellet above, ‘cog-wheel’ radiant sun-sign below. ABC 2362; Van Arsdell -; BMC -; DK 442; SCBC -. 1.31gr, 13mm, 6h.

Extremely Fine. Excessively rare, only a handful recorded.

Found near Newmarket, Suffolk, UK.

From Chris Rudd Auction 184, lot 25: "This splendid coin is packed with detail. The ring-ended, leafy emblem above and in the tribal mare’s tail must be its author’s personal signature, (also on silver unit ABC 2380), while the little split symbol in front, here exceptionally clear, suggests a clan associate. Several dynasts north of the Thames had vegetal emblems as insignia, and we know the names of two who later worked exactly this leafy motif into their stater designs: Tasciovanos (ABC 2553) and Andoco (ABC 2715). Our man’s sons, perhaps? There’s a handsome little hidden face at 6 o’clock on the obverse. See Hidden faces on Celtic coins, Coin News, November 2019, pp.41-43. Not in VA, BMC nor Spink."

Imitating Alexander III and Philip III of Macedon. Degraded head of Herakles to right / Stylised Zeus seated to left, holding eagle in right hand and sceptre with left. Cf. Lanz 910-932. 15.30gr, 30mm.

Fine.

Property of a North London, UK, gentleman.

[Wreath] / Lunate horse to left with triangular head, pellet rosette before, star below, VEP above. ABC 1851; Van Arsdell 905; BMC 3274-75; SCBC 407. 5.32gr, 21mm.

Extremely Fine. Beautifully toned around the devices.

Found Catterick, Yorkshire, UK. From a private Durham, UK, collection.

For the ruler's full name see ABC note (p.96): Vepo- 'voice, word' is the first part of this ruler's name and -c[o]mes 'friend, companion, comrade?' could be the second part or it might - just might - be a Latinate honorific (see ABC 1869 note). The letter F for filius (Latin 'son') on many of his coins indicates that Vepo- was probably a son of Cor-, whose full name might be something like Corionos 'army chief' or Corrios 'the dwarf' (take your pick). Coins inscribed VEP directly followed the uninscribed South Ferriby series. Area date code: NE8-9.