Catalog
| Issuer | Costoboci |
|---|---|
| Year | 200 BC - 101 BC |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | Tetradrachm (4) |
| Currency | Drachm |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 12 g |
| Diameter | 22 mm |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | Kostial#666, Preda MGD#T. LIX, 5-12, CCCBM 1#I 78, Göbl Kelt#326 |
| Obverse description | Interpretation in local style of head of Zeus right. Large eyes and wedged nose. Hair and laurel wreath in the shape of hollow leaves. Pearl line for the beard and on forehead, with arc behind. Ear in the form of an `S` |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | |
| Obverse lettering | |
| Reverse description | Interpretation in local style of horseman trotting left. Head of horse in the shape of a beak (`Schnabelpferd`). Thin legs with bold points at articulations and triangular hooves. Mane as pearled line. Rider stylised as a curve with pellets. |
| Reverse script | |
| Reverse lettering | |
| Edge | |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
ND (200 BC - 101 BC) - - |
| Numisquare ID | 7585769370 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: This "Schnabelpferd" (beaked horse) tetradrachm was issued by the Costoboci, a prominent Dacian tribe north of the lower Danube, between 200 BC and 101 BC. This era saw significant cultural exchange, with tribes adopting the prestigious Hellenistic tetradrachm standard, primarily imitating Macedonian types. The Costoboci imbued these issues with their distinct tribal artistic expression, signaling their burgeoning economic and political identity.
Artistry: The anonymous engraver belongs to a distinct Celtic-Dacian stylistic school, characterized by a radical departure from classical realism. This artistic tradition favors abstraction, stylization, and often a more symbolic or grotesque interpretation of prototypes. The eponymous "Schnabelpferd" on the reverse exemplifies this, depicting a horse with a highly stylized, beak-like snout, prominent eye, and exaggerated mane, transforming the original Macedonian design into a powerful, unique tribal emblem.
Technical/Grading: Struck in silver, this tetradrachm typically weighs around 12 grams and measures approximately 22 millimeters, aligning with Macedonian standards. For grading, key high-points include the clarity of the stylized "beak" and eye of the horse, along with the defining features of the abstracted obverse head. While often struck on broad flans, these tribal issues can exhibit minor strike inconsistencies, such as slight off-centering or weaker areas, common to non-centralized minting, yet silver purity is generally good.