Occasionally we come across coins which are so breathtakingly beautiful - so sharply struck, so well centred - that we have to pause and ask ourselves 'Is it genuine? Can a real coin be this good?' There is no doubt about the authenticity of this amazing North East Coast gold stater: it's real all right. Neither is there any question about its attractiveness: it's 'EFness' is self-evident, no matter how closely you examine it. Stamped on a massive flan, both the wreath pattern and the stallion (there is no mistaking the gender of this Corieltavian gee-gee) are dramatically displayed, with plenty of room in the field for additional decoration. Dr John Sills, who lives and works in the land of the lunate horses, says this is "the third known specimen from this obverse die; the other two are paired with two different reverses and this is a third, hitherto unrecorded die." This is unquestionably the finest North East Coast gold stater we have ever had, and it is also one of the scarcest varieties. Chris Rudd November list. 30.10.06