Celtic Gold Quarter Stater Catuvellauni, Cunobelinus AD4-40

Description

Denomination: Gold quarter stater

Period: Late iron age/Celtic

Date: AD4-40

Origin: Catuvellauni tribe, north of the Thames

Condition: Fine, faint detail to obverse, better reverse, despite its faults it is still a very rare coin

Obverse: Corn ear with central stalk, usually CA to left, MV to right (Camulodunon mint)

Reverse: Horse rearing to right, branch above, CVNO below (for Cunobelin), pellets in field

Size and Weight: 1.35g, 101mm diameter

References: ABC2816, Spink294

Features and Provenance: This coin was a metal-dectorist’s find, recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme with the report number of KENT-1238FA, the find spot being Ashby St. Ledgers, Northamptonshire, UK in 2019.

The Catuvellauni tribe (the name meaning ‘men excelling in battle’) occupied a large area now called Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and surrounding lands. Their southern boundary was formed by the Thames or Tamesa (Dark River) as it was called then. They became the strongest tribe and absorbed their rival the Trinovantes and survived into Roman occupation; an inscription near Hadrian’s wall mentions them. Their coins were minted at St Albans and Colchester. The king Cunobelin ruled over the joint tribes of the Catuvellauni and Trinovantes and additionally Kent.

Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades between

Uncirculated (U). As struck with no traces of wear

Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear. all parts of legend etc present. visible and clear

Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief. all parts of legend etc present. but maybe worn

Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible