Summary

Gold coin; Denomination: Stater

Staters of this type are referred to a 'Triple-Tail' and 'British Q' types. Celtic coins used in Britain are referred to by reference to their place of manufacture, 'Gallo-Belgic' coins were struck in what is today France and 'British' coins in Southern England. The letters A, B etc following the issue designator indicate the chronological order of production as determined by archaeological and coin hoard studies, A being earliest, B next and so on. Early Gallo-Belgic and British coins are thought to be the result of invasion or large scale migration from ancient Gaul to Britain. By the time this coin was made the reason for the movement is more likley to be as refugees from Roman rule. In Julius Caesar's commentary on his Gallic wars (see Commentarii de Bello Gallico 2.4, 5.12) he notes support from Britain and fugitives fleeing to Belgic settlements in Britain.

In Gaul the Atrebates lived roughly in the area known today as Artois (derived from the tribal name) in Northern France. When Julius Caesar began his conquest of the area the Atrebates committed men to a regional alliances but were unable to defend themselves. After his victory Caesar established or recognised Commius as the Atrebates King and he was involved, on the Roman side, in Caesar's two invasions of Britain (55 and 54 BC). However, Commius later joined the revolt of Vercingetorix against the Romans and ended up taking refuge in Britain with many of his tribe members.

In Britain the Atrebates settled in an area around modern Hampshire, Surrey and western Sussex, which had earlier links with migration or invasion from Gaul. Under the influence of Commius they soon came to rule this area. There they struck gold coins which featured on their reverse a horse with a characteristic triple tail some of which bear the name COMMIOS on their reverse. This coin may have had the name but it would be off the flan to the right. There is a suggestion of the base of the second letter O on the edge above the head of the horse.

Obverse Description

A degraded head of Apollo, ultimately derived from a Macedonian original, but with only the laurel wreath now easy to identify.

Reverse Description

A horse facing right with a tripple-tail, below the horse is a wheel and above a curved design which may be the remnant of a rider, Nike flying above or may have some other meaning now lost.

Edge Description

plain

More Information