Celtic Coinage of Britain
third edition
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Dobunnic Early Uninscribed Coins
Prior to the introduction of a tribal coinage, the Dobunni used the coins of the Atrebates/Regni. Sometime after 55 B.C., Atrebatic Abstract staters and quarters began to appear. Within twenty years, the tribe began to strike their own coins.
1005 - 01 Dobunnic Emblem Type
35-30 B.C. Very Rare
Gold Stater 5.55 gms. 19 mm
Earliest Record: Evans, 1864
OBV: Dobunnic emblem
Identifying points:
- plain, except for emblem
- emblem in form of tree-like object with ten branches
- ring at bottom of emblem
REV: Celticized horse right
Identifying points:
- three tail strands with pellets
- ear in form of ellipse
- coffee-bean in front of and behind horse
- six-spoked wheel below horse
- three large pellets above tail
CLASSIFICATION: Dobunnic A
NOTES:
- Standard weight given, future finds may prove a slightly higher weight was used, however
- Celtic Coin Index records now indicate commoner that previously thought
- Many in museums
- Modern forgery exists – (see 1005 - 01F)
1010 - 02 Dobunnic Abstract Type
35-30 B.C. Extremely Rare
Gold/Bronze Plater Quarter Stater ca. 1.0 gm. 12-13 mm
Earliest Record: Van Arsdell, 1989
OBV: Celticized head of Apollo right
Identifying points:
- spike made up of line with three pellets
- sunburst at lower end of spike
- wreath made up of line of pellets on left, heavy solid line in centre and thin solid line at right
- spike cuts wreath
REV: Celticized horse right
Identifying points:
- three tail strands with pellets
- outline crescents, probably four, around horse
- reversed "S" with ring below horse
- tiny ring and pellet motifs around horse
- Sunburst with central pellet all in large ring above horse
CLASSIFICATION: Dobunnic A
NOTES:
- Many in museums
- The reverse of this coin is similar to that of 1039 - 01 (this Plate)
- The corresponding quarter stater, 1010 - 01 awaits discovery
1010 - 03 Dobunnic Abstract Type
35-30 B.C. Rare
Gold Quarter Stater 1.0-1.3 gms. 13-15 mm
Earliest Record: Evans, 1864
OBV: Plain
Identifying points:
- may show traces of Celticized head of Apollo
REV: Celticized horse right
Identifying points:
- as 1010 - 02
CLASSIFICATION: Dobunnic A
NOTES:
- Many in museums
- The obverse die for this coin was used until completely obliterated
- Celtic Coin Index records now indicate commoner than previously thought
1015 - 01 Dobunnic Abstract Type
35-30 B.C. VR
Gold Quarter Stater 0.7-0.8 gms. 8 mm
Earliest Record: Evans, 1890
OBV: Celticized head of Apollo right
Identifying points:
- spike made up of line with two pellets, ring at top and sunburst at bottom
- wreath made up of two lines of pellets with row of oblique dashes in between
- wreath continues through spike
REV: Celticized horse left
Identifying points:
- probably three stranded tail
- pellet in ring motif on horse's breast and rump
- large sunburst below horse
- large sunburst in ring above horse, possibly with central pellet
CLASSIFICATION: Dobunnic A
NOTES:
- Many in museums
- Previously thought to be Atrebatic/Regnan. Robinson (1977) has argued convincingly it should be re-attributed to the Dobunni
- Celtic Coin Index records now indicate commoner than previously thought
1020 - 01 Head Type Class A
35-30 B.C. Scarce
Silver Unit ca. 1.25 gms. 15 mm
Earliest Record: Mack, 1953
OBV: Celticized head right
Identifying points:
- face still recognizable
- pellet in ring for eye
- two reversed "S" forms in front of face
- crescents for hair
- additional solid crescents behind head
REV: Celticized horse left
Identifying points:
- tail has three strands
- bird's head above and below horse
- six-spoked wheel above tail
- small sunburst and reversed "S" form in front of horse
CLASSIFICATION: Dobunnic A
NOTES:
- Some in museums
- "S" forms on obverse may be vestiges of dolphins from a prototype coin not yet identified
- Several coins exist which appear to be earlier varieties, but these have not been formally authenticated
- Celtic Coin Index records now indicate commoner than previously thought
1035 - 01 Corio
30-15 B.C. Common
Gold Stater 5.60 gms. 18 mm
Earliest Record: Poste, 1853
OBV: Dobunnic Emblem
Identifying points:
- plain except for emblem
- emblem in form of tree-like object with three branches
- pellet at bottom of emblem
REV: Celticized horse right
Identifying points:
- tail has three strands with pellets
- six-spoked wheel below horse
- ear has elliptical shape
- "V" form with pellet in angle and three pellets below tail
- CORIO above horse
CLASSIFICATION: Dobunnic B
NOTES:
- Standard Weight given, the heaviest of the dynastic series
- Most in museums
- Modern forgery exists – (see 1035 - 01F)
- Celtic Coin Index records now indicate commoner than previously thought
1039 - 01 Corio
30-15 B.C. Very Rare
Gold Quarter Stater ca. 1.15 gms. 12 mm
Earliest Record: Mack, 1953
OBV: Plain with Inscription
Identifying points:
- plain except for inscription
- COR in centre of field
REV: Celticized horse right
Identifying points:
- tail has three strands with pellets
- pellet in ring above horse
- large pellet in ring above horse
- "S" formed object below horse
CLASSIFICATION: Dobunnic B
NOTES:
- Celtic Coin Index records now indicate commoner than previously thought
- The reverse of this coin is similar to that of 1010 - 02
- Two coins found in 2013 now reduce the rarity estimate for this type
1042 - 01 Corio Head Type Class B
30-15 B.C. Common
Silver Unit ca. 1.15 gms. 14 mm
Earliest Record: Evans, 1864
OBV: Celticized head right
Identifying points:
- more stylized head than on 1020 - 01
- large pellet on chin
- pellet and ring motif below chin
- crescents for hair
REV: Celticized horse left
Identifying points:
- triple strand tail
- bird head above horse very stylized
- flower below horse
CLASSIFICATION: Dobunnic B
NOTES:
- Weight given is typical, standard weight is not yet identified
- Some in museums
- Flower below horse is a disintegrated bird's head
- Celtic Coin Index records now indicate commoner than previously thought
1045 - 01 Corio Head Type Class C
30-15 B.C. Common
Silver Unit ca. 1.15 gms. 13 mm
Earliest Record: Allen, 1961
OBV: Celticized head right
Identifying points:
- similar to 1042 - 01
- "X" in ring on chin
- crescents for hair
REV: Celticized horse left
Identifying points:
- similar to 1042 - 01
- flower below horse shows further stylization
- pellet in ring below tail
CLASSIFICATION: Dobunnic B
NOTES:
- Weight given is typical, standard weight is not yet identified
- Flower below horse is a disintegrated bird's head
- Celtic Coin Index records now indicate commoner than previously thought
1045 - 01 Corio Head Type Class C
30-15 B.C. Common
Silver Unit ca. 1.15 gms. 13 mm
Earliest Record: Allen, 1961
OBV: Celticized head right
Identifying points:
- similar to 1042 - 01
- "X" in ring on chin
- crescents for hair
REV: Celticized horse left
Identifying points:
- similar to 1042 - 01
- flower below horse shows further stylization
- pellet in ring below tail
CLASSIFICATION: Dobunnic B
NOTES:
- Weight given is typical, standard weight is not yet identified
- Flower below horse is a disintegrated bird's head
- Celtic Coin Index records now indicate commoner than previously thought
1049 - 01 Corio Head Type Class D
30-15 B.C. Scarce
Silver Unit ca. 1.15 gms. 14 mm
Earliest Record: Evans, 1864
OBV: Celticized head left
Identifying points:
- similar to 1042 - 01
- triple pellets for hair
- "X" on chin (without ring)
REV: Celticized horse right
Identifying points:
- similar to 1042 - 01
- pellet in ring below tail
- bird head above horse is almost completely disintegrated
- flower below horse
CLASSIFICATION: Dobunnic B
NOTES:
- Weight given is typical, standard weight is not yet identified
- Celtic Coin Index records now indicate commoner than previously thought
- Flower below horse is a disintegrated bird's head. Some in museums
1043 - 01 Corio Head Type Class B
30-15 B.C. Very Rare
Silver Unit 0.85 - 1.05 gms. 11 - 12 mm
Earliest Record: Boon 1983, reporting a 1978 find
OBV: Celticized head right
Identifying points:
- more stylized head than on 1020 - 01
- crescents with pellet and ring motifs for hair
- large pellet and ring motif on chin
- wheel with six spokes in front of chin
REV: Celticized horse left
Identifying points:
- wispy, branch-like tail
- two sunburst motifs above horse
- wheel below horse
- small rings around horse
CLASSIFICATION: Dobunnic B
NOTES:
- Typical weight given
- Many in museums
- Wheel below horse probably has four spokes and axle
- Rarity revised to Very Rare, commoner than previously believed
- Attempts to assign this type to a new issuing authority based on a small number of findspots are misguided – the type is stylistically very close to the Dobunnic coinage of 30-15 B.C.
The Coinage of the Dobunni
The Dobunni occupied Gloucestershire and Avon, parts of Hereford and Worcestershire, Somerset, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire. Their coinage comprises a small number of gold coins, mostly inscribed, and an extensive series of silver units, largely without inscriptions.
The gold staters are almost identical in appearance, making it difficult to organize and date them. The following catalogue lists them in order according to their weight and metallic content. The Dobunni gradually reduced the weight and gold content of the staters, and this reveals the chronological sequence. This dating sequence was first proposed in the 1989 edition of Celtic Coinage of Britain.
An analysis of the intrinsic value of the staters gives the chronological order of the inscriptions. This is, in order of decreasing standard weight and gold content: CORIO, BODVOC, ANTEDRIG, COMUX, EISV and CATTI. CORIO and BODVOC's staters contain a standard 2.6 grammes of fine gold. This drops to 2.3 grammes for ANTEDRIG and COMUX, and finally to 2.2 grammes for EISV and CATTI. Metrologically and metallurgically, the Dobunnic coinage suffered the same debasement as the coins of the other British tribes. It seems, the Dobunni were under the same pressures to devalue their coinage.
The silver coins are related to the gold issues by the objects in the fields. Those near the horse's tail seem to give the best indicators as to ruler-of-origin m many cases. Three types are inscribed and carry the names BODVOC, ANTED and EISV. The units inscribed ANTED and EISV are accompanied by uninscribed coins of a similar type.
Three clues provide fixed points to construct an absolute chronology for the coinage, as a whole. First, the silver units of BODVOC typologically date to the end of the First Century B.C. The horse on the reverse is a mirror-image of one on a quarter stater of Tasciovanus-—the die cutters may have simply copied it directly onto their dies. Similarly, a Tasciovanus bronze may supply the prototype for the obverse, again in mirror-image. Previously, workers have dated BODVOC's coinage last because of the legend on the stater. The lettering need not be dated mid-First Century A.D., because similar letters do appear on earlier coins. Generally, BODVOC's coinage should be dated about the end of Tasciovanus' reign.
The second clue is the dramatic reduction in the gold content for ANTEDRIG, probably a reaction to the events of the Trinovantian/Catuvellaunian Interregnum. When the other tribes reduced the intrinsic value of their staters, the Dobunni reacted by debasing the gold content.
Finally, the Dobunnic coinage would have come to an end during the middle of the 40's A.D., as the Romans overran the Dobunnic territory. The plated stater with the blundered legend "INAM"' probably dates from this disturbed time.
Using the chronology of the gold staters, the following interpretation of the Dobunnic coinage is suggested. During the Gallic War, contacts with the Dobunni were organized by the Atrebates/Regni to obtain war materiel, perhaps iron, for the Continental trade. Atrebatic Abstract Type staters are found in Dobunnic territory attesting to the trade. After the war, the tribe eventually felt the need to produce its own coins, and uninscribed gold and silver pieces were first struck about 35 B.C.
The Atrebates/Regni and Trinovantes/Catuvellauni were already striking inscribed coins by this time. The Dobunni quickly followed their lead, adding the name CORIO to their staters, around 30 B.C. Later, at the end of Tasciovanus' reign, BODVOC succeeded CORIO. He removed the Dobunnic emblem from the staters and emblazoned his name across the field. He also changed the silver coins as well, by placing a more life-like head on the obverses.
BODVOC soon disappeared during the Trinovantian/Catuvellaunian Interregnum, replaced by ANTEDRIG. The Dobunnic emblem was immediately restored to the staters and it was maintained by all subsequent rulers. Possibly, BODVOC's removal of the emblem had been an unpopular change. A series of inscriptions occurs after ANTEDRIG, COMUX, EISV, and CATTI – leading up to the Claudian invasion, when the coinage ends.
This chronological sequence, derived from metallurgy and metrology, is unlike that proposed by earlier scholars. Consequently, it must be viewed as a hypothesis, not proven fact. Normally in a catalogue such as this, the traditionally accepted chronologies would be used, but those proposed by Allen over twenty-five years ago are clearly unworkable today. Because the chronological interpretation here is greatly different from Allen's, the reasons for the change should be discussed.
There are two problems with Allen's interpretations. The first is the order of the inscriptions – it requires the staters to increase in intrinsic value. This is unlikely because the neighbouring tribes were reducing the value of their coins. Secondly, there is inadequate pairing of the silver units with the gold staters. The tribe used silver coins extensively and probably there were silver coins corresponding to each of the gold types.
Hoard analysis has supplied the dating evidence for many tribal coinages, the best example is the relative dating of the Icenian silver. Unfortunately, the small number of Dobunnic hoards has hampered study here since most Dobunnic coins have been single finds. Two hoards contained coins of ANTEDRIG, EISV and CATTI, and one of them had uninscribed silver as well. This does not provide much information to construct a relative chronology.
A historical retrospective points out some additional areas of controversy. Evans, in 1864, identified the BODVOC staters as heavier than the rest and accordingly dated them earliest. Evans' argument – heavier coins are earlier – should not be taken so lightly. Additional coins have come to light since Evans wrote, so the BODVOC staters are no longer the heaviest.
The Interregnum dating for ANTEDRlG's coinage places him roughly at the time of ANTED of the Iceni. Evans' assertion – the coinages of ANTEDRIG and the Icenian ANTED represented the unified output of a single ruler – should be reconsidered.
Brooke, in 1933, gave a list with ANTEDRIG first and BODVOC last, but offered no explanation, leaving it to Allen to supply the missing interpretation. The coins seemed to have different findspot distributions, Allen noted, offering this as evidence for paired rulers in sequence: ANTEDRIG/EISV first and CORIO/BODVOC last. The inscribed silver coins of ANTEDRIG and EISV were almost identical to some stylistically late uninscribed types, but BODVOC's inscriptions looked Roman. Thus, Allen argued, ANTEDRIG and EISV must be first, BODVOC last. He placed CATTI and COMUX in between these, unpaired.
The argument for paired rulers is tenuous today; additional findspots have been added to the maps and the distributions now show no statistically valid differences. This is particularly true for CORIO and BODVOC, the two rulers whose coinages previously had shown a good example of mutual exclusivity.
A final problem is posed by a small number of uninscribed silver coins, described by Allen as the IRREGULAR SERIES. These have an unusual style that does not fit in well with the rest of the Dobunnic silver. Previously, the coins had been found only in Wiltshire, and a separate tribal group had been suggested as its source. Today, while still unusual, the coins cannot be seen as coming solely from Wiltshire, because recent finds have come from Gloucestershire. The distribution may ultimately be similar to the rest of the Dobunnic coinage. The irregular series may indeed be local issues, but there is no strong evidence they come from a separate tribe or sub group.
The arrangement of the catalogue is as follows: The early uninscribed coins are listed first. The Dobunni evidently used Atrebatic/Regnan coins after the Gallic War, striking their own for the first time around 35 B.C. Then the series of inscribed coins is given, using the order suggested by the metrology and metallurgy. The later uninscribed silver types are listed under the most likely ruler, based on stylistic similarities.
Allen's system of naming the silver coins by classes has been retained for the type nomenclature because it is still a useful guide to the typology. New classifications have been given, however, linking the gold and silver issues.
The site of a Dobunnic mint has been found at Bagendon, a large oppidum near Cirencester. Clay "coin-moulds", two pairs of tongs, a bronze ladle and a clay spoon for handling molten metal were found on the site during archaeological excavations. Several bronze lumps were found, which appeared to be the remains of coin dies. Of interest was a number of plated forgeries of Dobunnic coins found in the vicinity. The mint could have been turning out plated coins, or alternatively the finds represent coins taken to the mint for authentication, only to be discarded when the forgery was exposed by the mint workers.