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Obol Eis Type
| Issuer | Kingdom of Noricum |
|---|---|
| Year | 200 BC - 1 BC |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
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| Obverse description | Celticized male head facing left, adorned with a laureate and diademed coiffure rendered as a row of prominent pellets or beads following the contour of the skull, a stylistic hallmark of Norican Celtic coinage derived from Hellenistic prototypes. The facial features are schematically modelled in the La Tène artistic tradition, with a boldly projecting nose, a pellet eye, and simplified chin and jaw. A short pendant element, likely a diadem tie or earring, is visible before the face. The flan is small and irregular, consistent with hand-struck Celtic silver of this denomination and period. |
|---|---|
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| Edge | Plain |
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| Additional information |
Noricum's silver obols are among the least-studied products of Celtic monetary production in the eastern Alpine region, issued by a kingdom that maintained enough political cohesion to sustain a recognizable coinage tradition for nearly two centuries before Augustus formalized the territory as a Roman province in 16 BC. The "Eis" classification in Kostial's typology reflects a die-grouping methodology rather than a findspot or mint attribution — Norican coinage lacks the workshop documentation that survives for contemporaneous Mediterranean issues.
At under 0.6 grams, these pieces circulated alongside much heavier Norican tetrobols and large AR issues, suggesting a functioning fractional system rather than purely ceremonial or mercantile use.