Celtic Coinage of Britain
third edition
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The Coinage of Verica
Verica replaced Eppillus as leader of Atrebates around 10 A.D. Cunobeline, after his accession to the Trinovantian/Catuvellaunian leadership, had driven Eppillus and the Atrebates from Kent. Once Eppillus was deposed – he disappeared completely – peace was restored between the tribes.
Initially, Verica must have been accepted by his more powerful neighbour. By the mid 30's however, he evidently lost the support of Cunobeline. Coins began to appear in the northern part of Atrebatic territory carrying the name Epaticcus, who styled himself a son of Tasciovanus. This leader, a Trinovantian/Catuvellaunian sympathizer if not actually a relative of Cunobeline's, soon expanded his influence in Verica's territory. Verica was ultimately deposed by the encroacher and undoubtedly was the Berikos who fled to Rome on the eve of 43 A.D. Verica's appeal for Roman military intervention prompted the Claudian invasion the following year.
Verica struck three successive coinages, distinguished by the types of the staters. The First Coinage staters show a tablet with COMF on the obverse and a mounted warrior with the inscription VIR on the reverse. The Second Coinage staters are almost identical, but add the title REX to the reverse. The third coinage introduces a new design to the obverse, a vine leaf with VI RI on the sides. All three coinages include quarter staters, silver units and silver minims. No bronze coins have been identified and it is likely Verica struck only gold and silver.
500 - 01 Verica Second Coinage
20-25 A.D. Scarce
Gold Stater 5.40 gms. 16 mm
Earliest Record: Akerman, 1846
OBV: Inscription in tablet
Identifying points:
- COM.F in incuse tablet
- plain field
REV: Celtic warrior on horse right
Identifying points:
- warrior brandishes spear
- VIR above horse
- REX below horse
- pellet border
CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic J
NOTES:
- Standard weight given
500 - 03 Verica Second Coinage
20-25 A.D. Extremely Rare
Gold/Bronze Plated Stater 3.0 gms. 8 mm
Earliest Record: Van Arsdell, 1989 (Danebury excavations before 1979)
OBV: Inscription in tablet
Identifying points:
- COM.F in incuse tablet
- plain field
REV: Celtic warrior on horse right
Identifying points:
- warrior brandishes spear
- VIR above horse
- blundered legend RIX below horse
- pellet border
CLASSlFlCATlON: Atrebatic J
NOTES:
- Struck from ancient forger's dies
- Example illustrated found at Danebury during excavations
- Gilt via the mercury gilding process
- A possibly earlier publication may be: Stukeley ca. 1766, pl. XXIII, no. 2
501 - 01 Verica Second Coinage
20-25 A.D. Rare
Gold Quarter Stater 1.3 gms. 12 mm
Earliest Record: Akerman, 1849a
OBV: Inscription, crescent and star
Identifying points:
- VERIC COMF in two lines
- solid crescent above inscription
- six-pointed star below inscription
REV: Celticized horse right
Identifying points:
- seven-pointed star above horse
- REX below horse
- pellet border
CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic J
NOTES:
- Typical weight given
- Some in museums
- Some found at Wanborough
- Mack indicated a six-pointed star above the horse, but the published example actually has seven
- Rarity provided via trade survey, confirmed by Celtic Coin Index records
505 - 01 Verica Second Coinage
20-25 A.D. Scarce
Silver Unit 1.1 gms. 14 mm
Earliest Record: Akerman, 1850c
OBV: Inscription in circle
Identifying points:
- pellet-in-ring motif in centre
- large ring around central pellet-in-ring motif
- VERICA COMMI F around large ring
- pellet border
REV: Lion right
Identifying points:
- solid crescent above lion
- REX below lion
- pellet border
CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic J
NOTES:
- Many found at Wanborough
- Celtic Coin Index records indicate rarer than originally thought
- Reverse copied from a coin of Augustus
506 - 01 Verica Second Coinage
20-25 A.D. Scarce
Silver Unit 1.3 gms. 13 mm
Earliest Record: Van Arsdell, 1989
OBV: Bull right
Identifying points:
- bull lowers head to butt
- bull stands on exergual line
- VERICA inverted above bull
- REX below exergual line
- pellet border
REV: Figure standing left
Identifying points:
- figure hold branch in right hand
- figure holds bust on lance in left hand
- COM MI F around figure
- exergual line below figure
- pellet border
CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic J
NOTES:
- Many found at Wanborough
- Celtic Coin Index records indicate rarer than originally thought
510 - 01 Verica Second Coinage
20-25 A.D. Very Rare
Silver Minim 8 mm
Earliest Record: Mack, 1975
OBV: Uncertain figure
Identifying points:
- figure possibly a Celtic warrior on horse right
- pellet border
REV: Boar right
Identifying points:
- O below boar
- possibly C above boar
- pellet border
CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic J
NOTES:
- Type not reported amongst Wanborough finds
510 - 05 Verica Second Coinage
20-25 A.D. Extremely Rare
Silver Minim 9 mm
Earliest Record: Van Arsdell, 1989
OBV: Geometric pattern
Identifying points:
- pellet-in-ring motif in centre
- four lines extend from pellet-in-ring motif
- crescents with lines in angles
REV: Boar right
Identifying points:
- boar charging right
- R below boar
- pellet border
CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic J
NOTES:
- Most are in museums
- Coin has not been authenticated via metallurgical analysis but appears to be a plausible type
511 - 01 Verica Second Coinage
20-25 A.D. Very Rare
Silver Minim 8 mm
Earliest Record: Mack, 1975
OBV: Inscription in tablet
Identifying points:
- VIR VAR in two lines inside tablet
- pellet border
REV: Pegasus right
Identifying points:
- Pegasus rears on hind legs
- CO below Pegasus
- pellet border
CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic J
NOTES:
- Many in museums
- Type not reported amongst Wanborough finds
512 - 01 Verica Second Coinage
20-25 A.D. Extremely Rare
Silver Minim 0.2 gms. 8 mm
Earliest Record: Van Arsdell, 1989
OBV: Bull right
Identifying points:
- similar to 506 - 01
- bull lowers head to butt
- exergual line below bull
- pellet border
REV: Eagle standing left
Identifying points:
- eagle spreads wing
- eagle stands on branch
CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic J
NOTES:
- Some found at Wanborough
- Not yet authenticated via metallurgical analysis, the type appears genuine, however
- This is the minim corresponding to 506 - 01
- Celtic Coin Index indicates rarer than originally thought
520 - 01 Verica Third Coinage
25-35 A.D. Scarce
Gold Stater 5.40 gms. 17 mm
Earliest Record: Akerman, 1846
OBV: Vine leaf
Identifying points:
- VI to left of leaf
- RI to right of leaf
REV: Celtic warrior on horse right
Identifying points:
- warrior holds shield and spear
- C O F in field: C behind rider, O above horse's head and F below horse
- horse stands on incomplete 'boxes'
- pellet border
CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic K
NOTES:
- Standard weight given
- Some in museums
- Vine leaf motif possible adapted from ancient intaglios
520 - 01 Verica Third Coinage
25-35 A.D. Scarce
Gold Stater 5.40 gms. 17 mm
Earliest Record: Akerman, 1846
OBV: Vine leaf
Identifying points:
- VI to left of leaf
- RI to right of leaf
REV: Celtic warrior on horse right
Identifying points:
- warrior holds shield and spear
- C O F in field: C behind rider, O above horse's head and F below horse
- horse stands on incomplete 'boxes'
- pellet border
CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic K
NOTES:
- Standard weight given
- Some in museums
- Vine leaf motif possible adapted from ancient intaglios
520 - 05 Verica Third Coinage
25-35 A.D. Extremely Rare
Gold Stater 5.40 gms. 17 mm
Earliest Record: Van Arsdell, 1989
OBV: Vine leaf
Identifying points:
- VE to left of leaf
- RI to right of leaf
REV: Celtic warrior on horse right
Identifying points:
- warrior holds shield and spear
- C O F in field: C behind rider, O above horse's head and F below horse
- horse stands on incomplete 'boxes'
- pellet border
CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic K
NOTES:
- Standard weight given
- Most in museums
520 - 07 Verica Third Coinage
20-25 A.D. Extremely Rare
Gold Stater 5.4 gms. 17 mm
Earliest Record: Van Arsdell, 1989
OBV: Vine leaf
Identifying points:
- VE to left of leaf
- RI to right of leaf
REV: Celtic warrior on horse right
Identifying points:
- warrior holds shield and spear
- C O F in field: C behind rider, O above horse's head and F below horse
- F in COF is retrograde
- horse stands on incomplete 'boxes'
- pellet border
CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic K
NOTES:
- Standard weight given
- Most in museums
525 - 01 Verica Third Coinage
25-35 A.D. Extremely Rare
Gold Quarter Stater 1.0 gms. 10 mm
Earliest Record: Eavans, 1890
OBV: Vine leaf
Identifying points:
- VERI below leaf
REV: Celtic warrior on horse right
Identifying points:
- warrior holds sword and small round shield
- horse stands on exergual line
- F RX in field, probably intended as 'REX'
- pellet border
CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic K
NOTES:
- Typical weight given
- Most in museums
- Obverse possible adapted from ancient intaglios
526 - 01 Verica Third Coinage
25-35 A.D. Extremely Rare
Gold Quarter Stater 0.9 gms. 9 mm
Earliest Record: Evans, 1890
OBV: Celtic warrior on horse right
Identifying points:
- warrior holds sword and small round shield
- COM above horse
- pellet border
REV: Seated figure right
Identifying points:
- figure holds spear
- VERICA around figure
- exergual line below figure
- pellet border
CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic K
NOTES:
- Typical /weight given
- Most in museums
- There is some question which is the obverse (Mack indicated the seated figure). The rider occupies the convex side, which is normally the obverse.
- Coin may share obverse die with 527 - 01
527 - 01 Verica Third Coinage
25-35 A.D. Extremely Rare
Gold Quarter Stater 0.7 gms. 9 mm
Earliest record: Evans, 1890
OBV: Celtic warrior on horse right
Identifying points:
- warrior holds sword and small round shield
- COM above horse
- pellet border
REV: Bust right
Identifying points:
- head is laureate
- VIRI in front of face
CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic K
NOTES:
- Typical weight given
- Most in museums
- Mack noted the obverse was copied from a coin of Tiberius.
- There is some question which is the obverse (Mack indicated the bust side). The the rider occupies the convex side which is normally the obverse.
- Coin may share obverse die with 526 - 01
500 - 05 Verica Second Coinage
20-25 A.D. Very Rare
Gold Stater 5.40 gms. 16 mm
Earliest Record: Evans, 1890
OBV: Inscription in tablet
Identifying points:
- COM.FI in incuse tablet
- plain field
REV: Celtic warrior on horse right
Identifying points:
- warrior brandishes spear
- VIR above horse
- REX below horse
- pellet border
CLASSIFICATION: Atrebatic J
NOTES:
- Standard weight given
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.