Ancient British Hoards

British Iron Age, CATUVELLAUNI, Cunobelin, AD 8-41, Stater, Linear type [Class 2], ca m[–], two pellets below m and pellet below a, divided by ear of barley with six pairs of grains, rev. cvn below horse bounding right with ladder mane, branch and two pellets above, 5.47g/9h (Ghey 1, this coin; Sills O11/R19; ABC 2774). Obverse struck from a worn die, otherwise very fine with the horse well struck up, attractive yellowish gold £900-£1,200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, British Iron Age Coins from the Helmingham Hoard.

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Collection

SF 1 - 2020T915 SF-521A7C additions

Several mixed Iron Age/Roman hoards have been recovered from East Anglia. Of these most comprise Roman Denarii and coins of the Iceni tribe, perhaps suggesting that these coins circulated together in a ‘mixed’ economy, at least for a brief period of time. The Helmingham Hoard is unusual in that the Iceni component has been replaced with gold coins of Cunobelin, leader of the Catuvellauni tribe c. AD 8-41. This absence of Iceni coinage supports the view that the hoard represents a ‘savings pot’ acquired over time and brought to Helmingham as a parcel.

The outstanding quality of the coins presented below – along with the presence of several die duplicates – suggests that they saw little circulation. It is plausible that they represent war booty acquired during the initial conquest, or perhaps tribute paid after the fact by subjugated peoples.