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Today,
anyone who collects
ancient British
coins is naturally
very familiar with
the crossed-wreaths
motif, because it
occurs on many
different types of
coins - silver coins
as well as gold
coins - struck by a
number of different
tribes: the
Catuvellauni, the
Trinovantes and the
Eceni to the north
of the Thames and
the Cantiaci and the
folk who issued the
Wonersh type stater
to the south of the
Thames. But when
this Middle Whaddon
Chase gold stater
was struck noboby
had ever seen a
crossed-wreaths
pattern before on a
coin. It was a
complete novelty.
The only previous
gold coins with a
cross on were the
cross-type rainbow
cup of the Vindelici
in Germania and the
globules à la
croix staters
and quarter staters
of Gaul (there was
also an early
British version on
the south coast).
But these coins all
featured just a
plain cross on a
plain field. This
Middle Whaddon Chase
was the first gold
coin seen in
Britain, Gaul, Rome
or Greece which had
a cruciform design
with ornaments in
the angles. It was
thus an innovative
design in its day,
subsequently much
imitated by other
people. This example
is one of the most
excellent specimens
we have ever
encountered. To be
sold by auction by Chris Rudd
in
May.
25.3.08 |
