Catalog
1/3 Stater 'Muscheln' type
| Issuer | Boii of Western Slovakia |
|---|---|
| Year | 2nd-1st Century BC |
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| Value | ⅓ Stater (20⁄3) |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Convex obverse of irregular flan struck in high-purity gold, presenting a largely plain, dome-like central boss with a smoothly raised surface typical of the Celtic 'Muscheln' (shell) series. The field is devoid of figural imagery or inscription, reflecting the highly abstract and aniconic artistic tradition of the western Slovak Boii. The irregular, crinkled rim displays characteristic hammer-struck distortion consistent with hand-struck Celtic coinage of the late La Tène period. No legend or exergual element is present. |
|---|---|
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| Mintage | ND |
| Additional information |
The Boii were expelled from their Bohemian territories by the Marcomanni around 58 BC, a displacement that effectively ended their minting activity in that region. The 'Muscheln' — shell — type belongs to the western Slovakian Boian tradition, a geographically distinct production center from the better-known Bohemian issues, and Castelin's classification separates them accordingly. These fractional gold pieces circulated in a monetary environment where weight integrity mattered far more than denominational convention.