Nomos 15

CELTIC, Central Europe. Helvetii (?). Late 4th or early 3rd century BC. Stater (Gold, 20 mm, 8.37 g, 1 h), imitating Philip II of Macedon. Laureate head of Apollo to right. Rev. [Φ]IΛIΠΠOY Charioteer, holding kentron in right hand, reins in left, driving biga to right; below horses, Nike flying right with wreath. Castelin -. De la Tour -. D&T -. Cf. Le Rider (Pella) 370 ff. Apparently unpublished and unknown. An intriguing piece of good style struck on a broad flan. Two small nicks on the reverse, otherwise, very fine.

Ex Nomos 12, 22 May 2016, 8 (unpaid.

This is a puzzling coin: the style marks it as an early imitation of a posthumous issue of Philip II from Pella (as Le Rider 370; see below, lot 61), but its exact origin remains a mystery. There are, however, faint stylistic similarities to staters that have been ascribed to the Helvetii; thus, while our attribution must remain tentative, it is quite reasonable. It must not be forgotten that mercenaries were vital parts of many ancient armies, and that those from the Balkans and from Celtic areas were famous for their prowess. When they returned home they brought their pay in the form of gold staters (usually of the type of Philip II) and silver tetradrachms (primarily of the type of Philip II). Those original coins were then copied for locally produced high denomination issues; those copies were, in turn, copied and modified again and again.