Drachm with triangular head

Emitent Cadurci
Rok 100 BC - 40 BC
Typ Standard circulation coin
Hodnota 1 Drachm
Měna
Složení Silver
Hmotnost 2.51 g
Průměr 15 mm
Tloušťka
Tvar Round (irregular)
Technika Hammered
Orientace Variable alignment ↺
Rytci
V oběhu do
Reference LT#3258
Popis líce Triangular head left; the nose represented by a triangle, with a circled point as an eye; the whole in an entourage of sticks and arcs of balled and linked circles; a pearl necklace at the base of the neck and a flower in front of the face.
Písmo líce
Opis líce
Popis rubu Cross formed of four angles: a pellet in the 1st, 2nd and 4th ones and a large hollowed-out ax in the 3rd.
Písmo rubu
Opis rubu
Hrana
Mincovna
Náklad ND (100 BC - 40 BC) - -
ID Numisquare 3260994500
Další informace

Historical Context: This silver drachm, featuring the distinctive "triangular head," was issued by the Cadurci, a significant Gallic tribe inhabiting the region of modern-day Quercy in southwestern France. Struck between 100 BC and 40 BC, this coin belongs to a critical period in Gallic history, marked by the increasing influence and eventual conquest by the Roman Republic under Julius Caesar. The Cadurci were part of the powerful Arvernian confederacy and played a role in the Gallic resistance. Such coinage served not only as a medium of exchange in local and inter-tribal commerce but also as a potent symbol of tribal identity and sovereignty during a time of profound political upheaval.

Artistry: The engraver of this piece, like most Celtic numismatic artists, remains anonymous. However, the coin exemplifies the unique stylistic school of Gallic Celtic art, characterized by its highly abstract and geometric interpretation of classical prototypes. The obverse presents the eponymous "triangular head," a remarkably stylized human profile, possibly a deity or ancestral figure, reduced to its most essential, angular forms. This extreme abstraction transforms the human visage into a powerful, almost totemic symbol. The reverse typically features a highly stylized horse, often with a rider or various symbolic elements, reflecting deep-seated Celtic animalistic motifs and martial traditions.

Technical/Grading: This drachm, weighing 2.51 grams and measuring 15 millimeters, adheres to a common standard for Cadurcan silver issues. For optimal grading, key high-points on the obverse would include the apex and defining edges of the "triangular head," as well as any discernible facial elements. On the reverse, the horse's head, mane, and leg articulation are crucial. Technical strike qualities for Gallic coinage can vary; well-struck examples will exhibit a clear, centered impression of both the stylized head and the horse, with minimal planchet irregularities or die wear, which are common given the less refined minting processes of the era.

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