Summary

Gold coin; Denomination: Stater
Issued by the Ambiani tribe.

This coin is from a series termed Gallo-Belgic E (Ambiani). Early 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. If an issuing tribe name is known it is added in brackets at the end. This coin was therefore struck in Gaul and was of the type found to be part of the fifth invasion, or large scale movement of people from France to England, the tribe involved were the Ambiani. There is no historical record of these movements although they are suggested in Julius Caesar's commentary on his Gallic wars (see Commentarii de Bello Gallico 2.4, 5.12) when he notes support from Britain and fugitives fleeing to Belgic settlements in Britain. This coin was struck at the time of Caesar's Gallic Wars and its appearance in Britain probably represents the movement of the fugitives he mentions.

Obverse Description

Raised plain dome

Reverse Description

A disjointed horse with pellets and curved ornaments above and behind (perhaps representing a charriot and driver), below is a decorated exergual line.

Edge Description

plain

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