Description
Denomination: Silver unit
Period: Ancient Britain or Iron age
Date: c AD20-43
Origin: Western England
Condition: AVF. very rare
Obverse: Crude head. right. pellet triads for hair to left (edge of flan) pellet in ring for eye to left. pellet in ring to right. stalk-like lips. wavy ?hair above
Reverse: Annulate horse with triple tail (off flan). left. arrowhead and EI above (extreme edge)
Size and Weight: 0.51g. 11.3 mm
References: ABC 2084. Spink 382
Features and Provenance: The Dobunni was a Celtic. Ancient British Iron Age tribe and they resided in and areas now known as Gloucestershire. Worcestershire and Avon. They were a trading tribe and their coinage thus spread far and wide. even into Wales. where no native coinage was minted at the time.
This coin was minted for the last leader of the Dobunni. Eisu. meaning lord. Eisu must have also referred to himself as king as EISVRIG appears on some of his issues. The meaning of the tribes name is not known but their emblem seems to be that of a stylised tree and since their homeland was heavily forested then. this is feasible. Our example is known as the ‘Eisu arrowhead’ and is very rare. the EI indicating the kings name is only partially visible on the coin. This was the last issue minted at a time when silver was becoming scarcer and thus the coin was debased. with a greater mix of copper. The slight losses to the edges also contribute to the slightly reduced weight. however it is within acceptable limits and coins of this weight and less have been recorded..
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
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