Celtic Coinage of Britain

third edition

Click on coin to see hidden information

 

 

 

 

Plate 10

Atrebates, Regni & Belgae    (Info)

Early Uninscribed Coinages    (Info)

 

 

 

Atrebatic Abstract Fractional Gold Staters    (Info)

Apollo Head Variation Types    Atrebatic B

V232-01V234-001V236-01V242-01V244-01V244-03V246-01V250-01

 

 

 

Atrebatic Abstract Fractional Gold Staters

Apollo Head Variation Types and Alternate Obverses

Atrebatic B

Apollo Head VariationsV254-01Alternate ObversesV256-01

 

 

 

Atrebatic Abstract Uninscribed Silver    Atrebatic B

V260-01V262-01V264-01V268-01V270-01V280-01V282-01V284-01

 

 

 

 

 

 

Close

 

 

 

Atrebates, Regni & Belgae Uninscribed Coinage

 

Imported Gaulish staters were the first coins used by the three tribes. Large Flan, Abstract Design and Gallic War Type coins are known from the tribal territory. The tribe began striking INSULAR TYPES sometime during the 60s B.C. These are heavier than their Gaulish prototypes, but lower in gold content. Around 55 B.C, the tribe struck the WESTERHAM TYPE staters, apparently a short-lived issue. The Westerham Type was replaced by the lighter ATREBATIC ABSTRACT TYPE later in the Gallic War.

 

The tribe produced an enormous number of staters and quarters during the war. At the time Commius was in collaboratation with Caesar, the tribe may have been part a scheme against the Durotriges, who had contacts with tribes in Brittany. They also may have received aid from the Romans seeking war materiel.

 

Close

 

 

 

Atrebatic Abstract Fractional Gold Staters

 

These are fractional denominations of which there are a large number of varieties. It is uncertain whether they should be called quarter staters and thus the term 'fractional' is used. The intricate design is struck on a small flan and crucial details may be missing. The weights vary from 1.0 to 1.4 grammes, indicating the heavier coins are actually of Gallic War date, while the lighter issues are probably post-war. The series has been catalogued by three major subtypes: Apollo heads, Apollo head variations, and alternate obverses.

 

Close

 

 

 

V232-01

232 - 01    Abstract Type Apollo Head Variation

55-45 B.C.      Rare

Gold Fractional Stater    11 mm

 

Earliest Record: Evans, 1890

 

OBV: Abstracted head of Apollo right

Identifying points:

    1) spike replaced by two parallel lines with pellet-in-ring terminals

 

REV: Celticized horse left

Identifying points:

    1) horse has triple tail

    2) collar around horse's neck

    3) strap around horse's belly

    4) uncertain complex flower with small pellets

 

CLASSIFICATION:

  - Atrebatic B

 

Close

 

 

 

V234-01

234 - 01    Abstract Type    Apollo Head Variation

55-45 B.C.      Very Rare

Gold Fractional Stater    12 mm

 

Earliest Record: Evans, 1890

 

OBV: Degraded head of Apollo

Identifying points:

    1) laurel leaves downwards

    2) spike made up of lines with pellet-in-ring motifs

    3) pellet-in-ring motifs in vestiges of hair

 

REV: Celticized horse right

Identifying points:

    1) eight-spoked wheel with axle above horse

    2) anemone below horse

    3) pellet-in-ring motifs near tail

 

CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic B

 

NOTES:

  - Though the type appears to be Atrebatic/Regnan, a Trinovantian/Catuvellaunian origin is also possible

 

 

Close

 

 

 

V236-01

236 - 1    Abstract Type    Apollo Head Variation

55-45 B.C.       Extremely Rare

Gold Fractional Stater    14 mm

 

Earliest Record:Evans, 1890

 

OBV: Apollo head variation

Identifying points:

    1) symmetrical design diagonally arranged

    2) centre occupied by two multi-spoked wheels

    3) wreath split in two and placed on either side of wheels

    4) curls of hair beyond wreath on both sides of wreath

 

REV: Celticized horse left

Identifying points:

    1) horse has triple tail

    2) strap around horse's belly

    3) cog wheel within circle above horse

    4) bird with curved bill right below horse

 

CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic B

 

NOTES:

  - Some are in museums

  - Modern forgery exists – (see 236-01- F1)

 

Close

 

 

 

V242-01

242 - 01    Abstract Type    Apollo Head Variation

55-45 B.C.      Extremely Rare

Gold Fractional Stater    10 mm

 

Earliest Record: Evans, 1890

 

OBV: Apollo head variation

Identifying points:

    1) pellet-in-ring surrounded by circle of pellets, the whole inserted into central portion of wreath

 

REV: Celticized horse left

Identifying points:

    1) pellet-in-ring below horse

 

CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic B

 

NOTES:

  - Some are in museums

 

Close

 

 

 

V244-01

244 - 01    Abstract Type    Apollo Head Variation

55-45 B.C.      Very Rare

Gold Fractional Stater    11 mm

 

Earliest Record: Mack, 1964

 

OBV: Crossed wreath of Apollo

Identifying points:

    1) large pellet in ring motif in centre, almost flower like

 

REV: Celticized horse right

Identifying points:

    1) horse prances right

    2) flower made up of large pellet with three petals around it below horse

 

CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic B

 

NOTES:

  - Many in museums

 

Close

 

 

 

V244-03

244 - 03    Abstract Type    Apollo Head Variation

55-45 B.C.      Extremely Rare

Gold Over Bronze Plated Fractional Stater     ca. 0.7 gms.     10 mm

 

Earliest Record: Van Arsdell, 1989

 

OBV: Crossed wreath of Apollo

Identifying points:

    1) as 244 1

 

REV: Celticized horse right

Identifying points:

    1) similar to 250-1, but dahlia above as well as below horse

 

CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic B

 

NOTES:

  - Likely struck from an ancient forger's dies

 

Close

 

 

 

V246-01

246 - 01    Abstract Type    Apollo Head Variation

55-45 B.C.      Rare

Gold Fractional Stater    9 mm

 

Earliest Record: Evans, 1890

 

OBV: Apollo head variation

Identifying points:

    1) faint traces of Apollo head

 

REV: Celticized horse right

Identifying points:

    1) horse has double tail

    2) strap around horse's belly

    3) pellet-in-ring motifs on horse's shoulder and haunch

    4) seven-spoked wheel below horse

 

CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic B

 

NOTES:

  - Some are in museums

 

Close

 

 

 

V250-01

250 - 01    Abstract Type Apollo   Head Variation

55-45 B.C.      Extremely Rare

Gold Fractional Stater    11 mm

 

Earliest Record: Evans, 1864

 

OBV: Wreath and crescents

Identifying points:

    1) two outline crescents, back-to-back

    2) wreath runs between crescents

 

REV: Celticized horse right

Identifying points:

    1) dahlia below horse

    2) pellet-in-ring motif on horse's rump

    3) pellet-in-ring motifs in front of and behind horse

    4) uncertain ring like object above horse

 

CLASSlFlCATlON: Atrebatic B

 

NOTES:

  - Most in museums

 

Close

 

 

 

V254-01

254 -01    Abstract Type    Apollo Head Variation

55-45 B.C.      Rare

Gold Fractional Stater    10 mm

 

Earliest Record: Evans, 1890

 

OBV: Floral pattern

Identifying points:

    1) pattern of crossed wreaths

    2) pattern made up of small rings and pellet-in-ring motifs

    3) pellet-in-ring motif in centre

 

REV: Celticized horse left

Identifying points:

    1) pellet-in-ring motif above horse

    2) two small rings in front of horse

 

CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic B

 

NOTES:

  - Some in museums

 

Close

 

 

 

V256-01

256 - 01    Abstract Type    Alternate Obverse

55-45 B.C.      Extremely Rare

Gold Fractional Stater    12 mm

 

Earliest Record: Evans, 1864

 

OBV: Cross with curved arms

Identifying points:

    1) each arm of cross terminates in a different animal head

 

REV: Celticized horse left

Identifying points:

    1) horse has triple tail

    2) collar on horse's neck

    3) strap around horse's belly

    4) dahlia above horse

    5) anemone below horse

 

CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic B

 

NOTES:

  - Most are in museums

 

Close

 

 

 

V260-01

260 - 01     Early Atrebatic Type

50-45 B.C.      Very Rare

Silver Unit     12 mm

 

Earliest Record: Mack, 1964

 

OBV: Abstracted head of Apollo right

Identifying points:

    1) laurel leaves inwards

    2) spike made up of lines and pellet-in-ring motifs

    3) pellet-in-ring motifs in vestiges of hair

 

REV: Celticized horse right

Identifying points:

    1) wheel below horse

    2) horse appears to have triple tail

 

CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic B

 

NOTES:

  - This is a silver version of 222 - 01

 

Close

 

 

 

V262-01

262 - 01    Early Atrebatic Type

50-45 B.C.      Extremely Rare

Silver Unit    1.1 gms.    11 mm

 

Earliest record: Evans, 1864

 

OBV: Celticized head right

Identifying points:

    1) large pellet in front of forehead, small ring above the pellet

    2) large pellet below chin

    3) hair made up of long curves

 

REV: Celticized horse left

Identifying points:

    1) flower above horse made up of a ring with fifteen arms, each ending in a pellet

    2) small ring above and below horse's head

    3) two small rings and two pellets below horse

 

    4) curved line in front of horse

 

CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic B

 

NOTES:

  - Typical weight is given

 

Close

 

 

 

V264-01

264 - 01     Early Atrebatic Type

50-45 B.C.      Very Rare

Silver Unit    1.2 gms.    11 mm

 

Earliest Record: Evans, 1864

 

OBV: Celticized head right

Identifying points:

    1) oval eye

    2) helmet with crest

 

REV: Celticized horse right

Identifying points:

    1) Wheel below horse

    2) pellet-in-ring motifs on horse's breast and rump

    3) small ring below horse

    4) uncertain object above horse made up of a line and small rings

 

CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic B

 

NOTES:

  - Most are in museums

  - Typical weight is given

  - The prototype for the next two types

 

Close

 

 

 

V268-01

268 - 01    Early Atrebatic Type

50-45 B.C.      Extremely Rare

Silver Minim    0.2-0.3 gms.    8 mm

 

Earliest Record: Evans, 1864

 

OBV: Celticized head right

Identifying points:

    1) degraded version of 264 - 01

    2) eye now elongated pellet

 

REV: Celticized horse right

Identifying points:

    1) as 264 - 01, but wheel below horse is now a ring

 

CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic B

 

NOTES:

  - Most are in museums

  - Typical weight is given

 

Close

 

 

 

V270-01

270 - 01    Early Atrebatic Type

50-45 B.C.      Extremely Rare

Silver Minim    8 mm

 

Earliest Record: Evans, 1864

 

OBV: Celticized head right

Identifying points:

    1) as 268 - 01

 

REV: Celticized horse right

Identifying points:

    1) as 268 - 01, but no object below horse

 

CLASSIFICATION Atrebatic B

 

NOTES:

  - Most are in museums

  - Derived from 264 - 01

 

Close

 

 

 

V280-01

280 - 01    Danebury Type

50-45 B.C.      Very Rare

Silver Unit    11 mm

 

Earliest Record: Van Arsdell, 1989 (Danebury, 1984)

 

OBV: Celticized head right

Identifying points:

    1) elliptical eye

    2) hair made up of elliptical pellets

    3) face outlined

 

REV: Celticized horse right

Identifying points:

    1) pellet-in-ring motif on breast

    2) eight-spoked wheel with axle below horse

    3) wavy-armed star above horse

    4) right foreleg of horse made up of two lines

 

CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic B

 

Close

 

 

 

V282-01

282 - 01    Danebury Type

50-45 B.C.      Extremely Rare

Silver Unit    12 mm

 

Earliest Record: Van Arsdell, 1989 (Danebury, 1984)

 

OBV: Celticized face right

Identifying points:

    1) head made up of a triangle with curved sides

    2) large, ornate coffee bean in front of face

    3) pellet-in-ring motifs below and in front of face

 

REV: Celticized horse right

Identifying points:

    1) elliptical eye

    2) ornate ring below horse

    3) elliptical ear

    4) two pellets and an uncertain object above horse

 

CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic B

 

NOTES:

  - The horse has similarities to those on later types of Commius and Tincomarus

  - The obverse possibly inspired a Dobunnic coin – see 1170 - 01

 

Close

 

 

 

V284-01

284 - 01    Danebury Type

50-45 B.C.      Extremely Rare

Silver Unit    11 mm

 

Earliest Record: Van Arsdell, 1989 (Danebury, 1984)

 

OBV: Celticized head left

Identifying points:

    1) pellet-in-ring motif for eye

    2) two concentric rings in front of nose and near chin

    3) large pellet for chin

    4) pellet-in-ring motif encircled by two rings of pellets in front of face

 

REV: Celticized horse left

Identifying points:

    1) seven-spoked wheel below horse

    2) ring behind horse

    3) pellet-in-ring motif above horse

    4) two concentric rings above horse

 

CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic B

 

NOTES:

  - Most are in museums

 

Close

 

 

 

Coinage of the Atrebates, Regni & Belgae

 

The Atrebates, Regni and Belgae occupied the territory that is today Berkshire, Sussex and Hampshire. Whether three distinct political groups struck coins cannot be proven today, nor can separate territories be demonstrated. The Regni are virtually unknown to history until the Roman period, and the tribal area of the Belgae is a matter of controversy. Though Belgic immigration is mentioned by Caesar, he does not specifically say where they settled, and we only have the Roman name Venta Belgarum to suggest a location. The Atrebates, also mentioned by Caesar, had tribal members on both sides of the Channel.

 

Traditionally, the three tribes have been treated numismatically as one. Based on the current state of research, there is no reason to change this approach. Attempts have been made to identify a separate coinage for the Belgae. These have been largely, but not entirely, based on reports of new types of silver coins published in numismatic trade lists since 1994. The coins do not appear to form a coherent issue of a single issuing authority and questions exist regarding their precise status. These enigmatic coins demand careful analysis and reflection before they are accepted as evidence for a Belgic coinage. Certainly, after the Gallic War, only one coinage circulated in the territory. It may someday come to pass that coinages for the Belgae and Regni can be identified, but only after a rigorous analysis of the new types has been completed. Most of these are listed under "New Material". For the remainder of this discussion the three tribes will be referred to simply as the "Atrebates" for the sake of brevity.

 

Initially, the three tribes constituted one of the most advanced groups in Britain. They had trading contacts with Belgic Gaul in the late second and early first centuries B.C., and were one of the earliest to strike coins. The earliest stater, the INSULAR TYPE struck before the Gallic War, is derived from imported Gallo-Belgic C. The next coinage, the WESTERHAM TYPE, is now felt to be inspired by the Trinovantian/Catuvellaunian coinage of the same name, struck during the Gallic War. After the war, the tribal position changed dramatically, and the Atrebates may have fallen out of favour with the Romans. It is possible the cross-Channel trading rights were given to the Trinovantes/Catuvellauni instead. A loss of trading rights may have been the result of Commius' activities during the War.

 

Commius, at first a supporter of Caesar, became disillusioned with the Romans and went over to Vercingetorix. After the collapse of Celtic resistance at Alesia, he fled to join the British part of his tribe. Later, the Atrebates struck coins with his name, and possibly the acceptance of Commius in Britain was the reason they fell out of favour. The change in trading rights altered the relative fortunes of the two tribes forever. By the end of the millennium, the Trinovantes/Catuvellauni had economic influence throughout southern Britain and had begun to rival the Atrebates.

 

The Atrebates seized the opportunity of the Trinovantian/Catuvellaunian Interregnum to mount a military incursion into Kent under their leader, Eppillus. Eppillus struck a victory stater commemorating the initial success of the expedition. The incursion was cut short, however, by the elevation of Cunobeline to the Trinovantian/Catuvellaunian throne. He drove the Atrebates out of Kent and Eppillus promptly disappeared. He is replaced on the coins by Verica, a self-styled 'son of Commius'.

 

Sometime before the Claudian invasion, Verica was in turn overthrown. He probably was the historical Celtic leader 'Bericus' who appeared in Rome seeking aid from Claudius. Verica was replaced on the coins by Epaticcus, who styled himself a 'son of Tasciovanus'. Whether the family-tie was real is not so important, the result was the Atrebatic leadership was now held by a Trinovantian/Catuvellaunian sympathizer. Shortly before the Claudian invasion, Epaticcus was replaced by Caratacus, the famous leader of the British resistance against the Roman invaders. The Atrebatic coinage came to an end during the forties, as Caratacus fled westwards to lead the resistance amongst the tribes in Wales. One Atrebatic leader known to history, Cogidubnus, has not yet been identified on the coinage. It seems he was not elevated to leadership until the coinage had come to an end.

 

The oppidum of Calleva, Silchester today, was the site of an Atrebatic mint, and the name Calleva appears on coins of Eppillus. Other leaders may have had mints elsewhere, but none have been identified. Plausible mint sites for separate Belgic or Regnan coinages have not been identified.

 

Copyright R. D. Van Arsdell 2017