Gold 1/4 Stater Wheel Annulets
| Émetteur | Dobunni tribe (Celtic Britain) |
|---|---|
| Année | 55 BC - 45 BC |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Valeur | 1/4 Stater |
| Devise | Stater |
| Composition | Gold |
| Poids | 1.34 g |
| Diamètre | 15 mm |
| Épaisseur | |
| Forme | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Graveur(s) | |
| En circulation jusqu’à | |
| Référence(s) | Sills#226 |
| Description de l’avers | Abstracted head of Apollo right (with inside end of each leaf pointing downwards above the hairbar, and upwards below the hairbar, the upper and lower parts at a marked angle to each other). Hairbar (spike) is decorated with three pellet-in-ring motifs, with one arc below a ringed pellet at the end. Pair of small annulets in front of the linear crescents. |
|---|---|
| Écriture de l’avers | |
| Légende de l’avers | |
| Description du revers | Segmented horse right, with no mane and triple tail. Collar around horse`s neck, strap around horse`s belly. Floral sun (sunburst rosette) above with pellet-in-ring motif at centre, three annulets around. Wheel with 6-8 spokes and axle below. Ringpole attached to breast. |
| Écriture du revers | |
| Légende du revers | |
| Tranche | |
| Atelier | |
| Tirage |
ND (55 BC - 45 BC) - - |
| ID Numisquare | 1110813140 |
| Informations supplémentaires |
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Historical Context: Issued by the Dobunni tribe in Celtic Britain between 55-45 BC, this Gold 1/4 Stater emerges from a pivotal pre-Roman era. Situated in modern-day Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, the Dobunni were a significant power, their coinage reflecting a sophisticated economy and burgeoning tribal identity. This period immediately precedes Caesar's second British expedition, indicating strong Gallic trade links and the adoption of gold coinage as a symbol of status and wealth, transitioning from earlier Gallo-Belgic imports to indigenous designs. The absence of a ruler's name places it among the earliest Dobunnic issues.
Artistry: While no specific engraver is identifiable, the "Wheel Annulets" design exemplifies early British Celtic artistic abstraction. The obverse's prominent wheel motif, often interpreted as a solar symbol or chariot wheel, is rendered with characteristic stylization, diverging from classical prototypes. The annulets, simple ring forms, are fundamental decorative elements in Celtic art, here used both within and around the primary design. This anepigraphic type represents a distinct indigenous artistic school, emphasizing symbolic imagery over literal representation, a hallmark of Dobunnic numismatic art.
Technical/Grading: For optimal grading (Sills#226), focus on the obverse's central wheel: crispness of the spokes and clarity of the surrounding annulets are paramount. A full, even strike, ensuring all design elements are present and well-defined, is highly desirable. On the reverse, the distinctness and roundness of the annulets are key. The coin's small size (15mm) and low weight (1.34g) mean minor flan irregularities are common, but a well-centered strike with minimal edge damage and a lustrous gold surface, free from significant planchet flaws, will command premium grades.