Denomination: Potin unit

Period: Iron age/Celtic 

Date: c1st century AD

Origin: Gallic import to Britain

Condition: AVF, edges a little nibbled; horse motif of good style

Obverse: Crude head possibly wearing helmet, left

Reverse: Horse trotting left

Size and Weight: 18mm, 2.91g

References: Cf C Rudd, Ancient British Coins, page 32-34

Features and Provenance: There were no coins made in Britain until the 1st century BC and these were made in Kent. Before this, coins were produced by the Celtic tribes of Gaul (France) and middle Europe and these drifted via trade over to England. These early coins were cast and not struck and made from potin, an alloy of bronze, as is our example. The depiction of the bust on the obverse is very similar to those produced by the Gallic tribes, but the horse on the reverse is very similar to a bull that was depicted on the coins of Kent (the Cantii tribe). This would indicate that once England was making its own coins it imitated the continental types. The gold and silver coinage was much more individualistic and bore their tribal emblems and even leader's names. Later, with Roman occupation, the coinage was again transformed and evolved into a more Roman-like coinage.  

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