Celtic Coinage - Stater - Any Input Would Be Helpful

very nice coin

warm wishes

chance favors the prepared mind.

Beautiful coin, more than a bit jealous

Its from Northern Gaul and made by the Ambiani.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambiani.

Date could be slighty wider than Seaby indicates, 150-50BC.

On the obverse is the head of Apollo, left with elaborate hairstyle in a Celtic design derived from the earlier Apollo prototype on the Macedonian staters of Philip II.

The reverse is a stylised horse, left with disjointed driver guiding a chariot, rosette below and other patterns in fields. Cant really see it on yours but there should also be a single chariot wheel behind (to the right) of the horse.

The Kingston museum has some of these from the Chessington hoard and so does the British museum.
http://www.kingston.gov.uk/browse/l...on_hoard.htm
http://www.heritage-images.com/Prev...censeType=RM

What does it weigh? and how big is it?

I think it is one you may need to get authenticated by an expert - if real they can sell for between �£1-4000.

As with all valuble and rare coins many reproductions and fakes are available.
http://www.dorchesters.com/coins/re...ic_coins.htm

Yours seems to have had 'B' stamped on it twice on the obverse - I dont know if this is something you should be worried about.

bobbyhelmet - Thank you very much for your input!

The size is 20.5mm - 22mm - it isn't perfectly round, of course. As for the weight, I've not had the occasion to have to precisely weigh coins in the past, so I don't have anything to do it right, but the less-than-precise scale I do have says 6gm. As far as the authentication, I have a call in to Freeman and Sear. Mr. Freeman is out-of-town until next week, but I've been told he will get back to me when he returns.

Even though my dad did due dilligence with all his collections, I am well aware that fakes get past even the most careful collectors and, considering the possible rarity and value, I am taking the necessary, serious steps that I can to verify the piece. Your advice is welcome and reassuring that I'm working in the right direction. Thank you, again.

bobbyhelmet - Yes, I will post what Mr. Freeman has to say about the piece - then I'll have to find the time to get to the rest of the 35 or so coins dating up to 423BC. I, too, hope things go well as I may need to use his assistance a lot.

Excellent news Chris!

Glad its been authenticated, all to often when coins of this rarity and value appear they turn out to be reproductions or fakes, its nice to have a happy ending.

Good news too for the other 35 from your fathers collection (must admit I'm looking forward to seeing more of those ) as if this one is real then it probably means the others are all good too.

Wear or not its a very attractive and interesting coin.

If your stuck with any of the others please do post them, even if its just for opinions. I'm by no means an expert with Celtic and Greek coins (I know a bit about Roman coins but thats about it!) but we do have a few experts on the forum.

Never too late to comment, eh? :-)

> The coin label has: "Stater. c. 125-100 BC" "Celtic Coinage. Period of Belgic Migration" "Seaby #1"

It's an S2, rather than an S1. On S1 the bust faces right.
From John Sills' excellent book (https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/ch...fault.aspx), it's:
- Gallo-Belgic Ab1 Class 7, i.e. the last ones to be made of that large stater.

He has a mere 27 of them listed (at the time of writing in 2003), but that may have gone up a little more with recent detecting finds.
The condition isn't at all bad. These early starters are often quite worn. I guess usage plus high gold content causes that.

Fabulous coin, and only just spotted it - had to post. Jealous!