Catalog
| Issuer | Namnetes |
|---|---|
| Year | 80 BC - 50 BC |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | 1/4 Stater |
| Currency | |
| Composition | Gold |
| Weight | 1.75 g |
| Diameter | 12.6 mm |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | DT#2193 var. |
| Obverse description | Profile with hair in big locks and disheveled on the right, the cheek adorned with a flower with 10 petals. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | |
| Obverse lettering | |
| Reverse description | Androcephalic horse facing right, surmounted by charioteer with raised left hand; below, a hippophorus character facing forward, head turned to the right. |
| Reverse script | |
| Reverse lettering | |
| Edge | |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
ND (80 BC - 50 BC) - - |
| Numisquare ID | 3224957010 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: This 1/4 stater, issued by the Namnetes tribe between 80 BC and 50 BC, represents a critical period in pre-Roman Gaul. Located in Armorica, the Namnetes were a significant power during escalating Roman influence and Caesar's Gallic Wars. The production of this 1.75 gram gold fractional coinage underscores their economic autonomy and active trade networks before Roman subjugation. This coin serves as a tangible record of a society navigating profound political and military transformations.
Artistry: The artistry exemplifies late Iron Age Celtic numismatics, displaying a highly stylized reinterpretation of Hellenistic prototypes. Engravers remain anonymous, yet the design reflects a distinctive local aesthetic. The obverse features a highly abstract human head, likely Apollo-derived, with the "hippophorus" (charioteer/rider) element heavily integrated. The reverse presents a dynamic, often dismembered horse, accompanied by the unique "flower" symbol, a key Namnetes identifier typically placed below the horse, showcasing tribal symbolism.
Technical/Grading: Struck in gold, weighing 1.75 grams with a 12.6 mm diameter, this 1/4 stater presents typical Celtic striking characteristics. High-points for wear include the abstract obverse head's features and the reverse's stylized horse, especially its mane and the distinctive flower. Flan irregularities and off-center strikes are common. A superior example will show clear definition of central devices. The "var." in its reference (DT#2193 var.) indicates expected die variations inherent to hand-engraved Celtic coinage.