Gold Plated Stater - Verica Verica Warrior Star Contemporary Counterfeit

Historical Context: This gold-plated bronze stater is a contemporary counterfeit of coinage issued by Verica, King of the Atrebates and Regini (c. 10-40 AD). Ruling southern Britain just prior to the Roman conquest, Verica was a Roman client king, navigating complex tribal politics. The production of such counterfeits, particularly in base metal plated to resemble gold, indicates economic pressures, scarcity of official issues, or illicit activities prevalent in this volatile late Iron Age period.

Artistry: Verica's coinage typically transitions from earlier abstract Celtic styles towards more naturalistic, Roman-influenced designs, while retaining a distinctive British Celtic character. Specific engravers are unknown. The "Warrior Star" motif, a prominent element on either the stylized obverse head or reverse horse, would have been rendered consistent with official dies. Contemporary counterfeits often display varying artistic fidelity, from crude imitations to highly skilled, deceptive copies.

Technical/Grading: For genuine Verica staters, key grading points include the clarity of the horse's features, the star on the reverse, and obverse legend/stylized head details. For this specific contemporary counterfeit, its defining characteristic is the gold plating over a bronze core. The 3.45 gram weight is significantly lighter than a genuine gold stater (~5.5-6g), immediately identifying it. Grading focuses on the integrity of the original gold plating, strike sharpness, and preservation of the "Warrior Star" motif.