Diodorus, the Sicilian historian, says: “On their heads they wear bronze helmets which possess large projecting figures lending the appearance of enormous stature to the wearer. In some cases horns form one part with the helmet, while in other cases it is relief figures of the foreparts of birds or quadrupeds.” This excessively rare silver coin of the Catuvellauni, struck c.50-40 BC, clearly displays one of the bird-mounted helmets that Diodorus describes. In this instance the bird is a duck, probably the common Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) says Rainer Kretz. He believes that the little duck in front of the head may be a Shoveler (Spatula clypeata), Dr Anne Ross thinks that the helmeted goddess on this coin may be Brigit ‘the exalted one’. This Duck Helmet silver unit is extremely fine and only about six others are known. Chris Rudd November list.                            22.10.07