This Eisu Tree is a gorgeous example of a rare Dobunnic stater. The branched emblem is crisp and well centred, with no scuffs or scratches in the plain field around it. Virtually the entire horse has managed to gallop onto the large flan, showing how very long its legs are. Every letter of the king’s name is present. Every spoke of the six-spoked wheel is clearly displayed. We can even perceive a tiny hidden face under the inscription.. Lucan, the Roman poet, refers to a journey that Caesar's soldiers made through southern Gaul where they discovered three Gallic gods: Taranis, Tenates and Esus (Pharsalia I, 444-6). Lucan describes these three gods as cruel, savage and demanding human sacrifice: "horrid Esus with his wild altars." In the 9th century AD Esus is mentioned as being propitiated by human sacrifice. Men were stabbed, hung in trees and allowed to bleed to death. Esus means 'lord' and the British name Eisu also probably means 'lord', as do the Corieltavian Esu and the Ecenian Aesu. Chris Rudd November list.                                                 15.10.07