Nomos 12

CELTIC, Northwest Gaul. Uncertain tribe. Circa 3rd-2nd century BC. 1/4 stater (Gold, 14mm, 2.04 g 9), trumpet type. Beardless male head to right, with curly hair. Rev. Celticized version of a biga to right: horse standing to right; on its back, kneeling male figure to right, blowing a carnyx; to left, behind figure, arrow; to right, sickel-shaped razor; below horse, seated facing figure with both hands raised and very long fingers. D&T I, p. 33, 24. Scheers Série 3, III, var. b, fig. 32. Sills 209. Very rare. With a remarkably attractive and curious reverse. Obverse struck from a worn die, otherwise, extremely fine.

Known as the ‘Trumpet Type’, this coin comes from Northwest Gaul. Its obverse is clearly an early member of the long series that ended up with the extraordinary heads from the Channel Islands and the coast nearby. However, the reverse is simply astounding with its remarkable horse, and the ‘rider’ blowing his horn. As for the rather orans-like figure below the horse, there are virtually no parallels.