Bronze Unit 'Cantian E'

The Cantii occupied what is now Kent — the first part of Britain Julius Caesar encountered during his expeditions of 55 and 54 BC. Caesar's own accounts name several Cantian leaders, including Cingetorix and Catuvolcus, suggesting a relatively sophisticated political structure for the period. These small cast bronzes were produced in the decades immediately following that Roman contact, and some scholars argue the irregular fabric reflects a tradition of casting rather than striking that predates any Continental influence on British coinage.

ABC 174 is among the more variable types in the series — die alignment and flan preparation differ considerably across specimens.