Bronze with wolf head to right

Emittente Carnutes
Anno 60 BC - 40 BC
Tipo Standard circulation coin
Valore
Valuta
Composizione Bronze
Peso 3.17 g
Diametro 14.5 mm
Spessore
Forma Irregular
Tecnica Hammered
Orientamento Variable alignment ↺
Incisore/i
In circolazione fino al
Riferimento/i LT#6188, DT#2608
Descrizione del dritto Very stylized head on the right, four braids behind (small lines joining them), ornaments in the shape of small torques.
Scrittura del dritto
Legenda del dritto
Descrizione del rovescio Wolf on the left, mouth open, tongue hanging out; pseudo legend above the wolf; a star between the paws; gritted.
Scrittura del rovescio
Legenda del rovescio
Bordo
Zecca
Tiratura ND (60 BC - 40 BC) - -
ID Numisquare 6031924340
Informazioni aggiuntive

Historical Context: This bronze coin, featuring a wolf head to the right, was issued by the Carnutes, a prominent Gallic tribe in central Gaul, between 60 BC and 40 BC. This era aligns with Julius Caesar's conquest of Gaul and subsequent Roman consolidation. The Carnutes were a significant political and religious center, central to Gallic resistance. Their coinage, including this bronze issue, served essential economic functions, facilitating trade and potentially funding tribal efforts during a period of profound upheaval.

Artistry: The anonymous engraver worked within the distinctive Celtic artistic tradition, prioritizing stylized and often abstract representations over Greco-Roman naturalism. The wolf head, depicted facing right, is rendered with characteristic vigor, emphasizing its predatory nature through simplified yet powerful lines. This design likely served as a potent tribal emblem or totem, symbolizing strength, ferocity, or a mythical ancestor, resonating with the Carnutes' identity and martial prowess.

Technical/Grading: Struck on a bronze flan weighing 3.17 grams and measuring 14.5 millimeters, this coin exemplifies typical Gallic bronze production. Key high-points for wear and strike quality include the wolf's snout, eye, and prominent ear. Technical strike qualities often vary; off-center strikes, incomplete details, or minor flan irregularities are common. A well-struck example would exhibit a clear, full rendition of the wolf's features and a relatively even strike, reflecting tribal mint capabilities.

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