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Here is the finest
known specimen of an
excessively rare
bronze - the
Cunobelinus Butting
Bull. This
is only the second
example we’ve had
(Chris Rudd List
90,no.66) and in
superlative
condition. The type
was first recorded
by the CCI in 1996,
so it is a
comparatively recent
type, unpublished by
any of the major
catalogues. This
beautiful specimen –
the best known – is
interesting because
it clearly reveals
the character of the
head which is
modelled on a Roman
head and which we
might regard as the
deity Camulos or
possibly even an
idealised portrait
of Cunobelinus.
A possible prototype
for the obverse
could be a
Republican silver
denarius of
C.Coelius Caldus,
Crawford 437/4a or
4b, which shows a
Gallic spear and
war-trumpet behind a
bare male head which
has a similar
down-turned mouth.
Chris Rudd May list.
6.5.08 |
