33
Tasciovanos Hidden Faces. TASCIAVAN Type .c.25BC-AD10. Celtic gold stater. 15mm. 5.50g.
1/2
Auctioneer has chosen not to publish the price of this lot
Aylsham, Norfolk
Description
Tasciovanos Hidden Faces. TASCIAVAN Type. Kretz type B/II. Sills class 1b, dies 9/11. c.25BC-AD10. Celtic gold stater. 15mm. 5.50g. Crossed-wreath motif with two opposed crescents and four ringed-pellets at centre forming hidden faces./ Full-bodied horse right, two pellets under tail, above: bucranium, anemone and [TASCIAVAN]; hook-like object and ring below, ‘inverted floral’ motif before. ABC 2553, VA 1680, BMC 1592-93, 1596-1603, DK 496, S 214. Brilliant EF, thick chunky flan of gorgeous golden gold, distinct hidden faces, well centred. A scintillating specimen of the highest quality. SCARCE
This stunning stater reveals more of the ‘hook-like’ object below the horse and ‘inverted floral motif’ in front of the horse than most do. We think the two may be connected. We suspect that they may represent the head and tail of a stylised ram-headed serpent (or dragon) being trampled by the horse and that they aren’t two separate ornaments as is generally supposed. Look closely at the reverse of Sir John Evans’s remarkable stater BMC 1591 (Hobbs plate 50) and you’ll see what looks like a sinuous line on the edge of the flan under the horse’s forelegs. If we could see the whole of this die (Sills rev.die 9) we think it might show the wavy line joining the ‘neck’ of the serpent. Serpent-trampling (or dragon-stomping) didn’t begin with Tasciovanos, nor did it end with him. You can see it on early gold staters such as ABC 16 and ABC 2439, and on his son’s coins (ABC 2891, 2894, 2951 and on his grandson’s (ABC 3005). British dragon-stomping was doubtless derived from a widely distributed denarius of Julius Caesar (RCV 1399, RRC 443/1) which shows an elephant trampling on a serpent. After a lapse of 1,800 years full-blown equine dragon-stomping was restored on British coinage by George III, having been partially revived as dragon-spearing by Edward IV in 1465.
Auction Details
Shipping
T&Cs & Important Info
Ask seller a question
Tasciovanos Hidden Faces. TASCIAVAN Type. Kretz type B/II. Sills class 1b, dies 9/11. c.25BC-AD10. Celtic gold stater. 15mm. 5.50g. Crossed-wreath motif with two opposed crescents and four ringed-pellets at centre forming hidden faces./ Full-bodied horse right, two pellets under tail, above: bucranium, anemone and [TASCIAVAN]; hook-like object and ring below, ‘inverted floral’ motif before. ABC 2553, VA 1680, BMC 1592-93, 1596-1603, DK 496, S 214. Brilliant EF, thick chunky flan of gorgeous golden gold, distinct hidden faces, well centred. A scintillating specimen of the highest quality. SCARCE
This stunning stater reveals more of the ‘hook-like’ object below the horse and ‘inverted floral motif’ in front of the horse than most do. We think the two may be connected. We suspect that they may represent the head and tail of a stylised ram-headed serpent (or dragon) being trampled by the horse and that they aren’t two separate ornaments as is generally supposed. Look closely at the reverse of Sir John Evans’s remarkable stater BMC 1591 (Hobbs plate 50) and you’ll see what looks like a sinuous line on the edge of the flan under the horse’s forelegs. If we could see the whole of this die (Sills rev.die 9) we think it might show the wavy line joining the ‘neck’ of the serpent. Serpent-trampling (or dragon-stomping) didn’t begin with Tasciovanos, nor did it end with him. You can see it on early gold staters such as ABC 16 and ABC 2439, and on his son’s coins (ABC 2891, 2894, 2951 and on his grandson’s (ABC 3005). British dragon-stomping was doubtless derived from a widely distributed denarius of Julius Caesar (RCV 1399, RRC 443/1) which shows an elephant trampling on a serpent. After a lapse of 1,800 years full-blown equine dragon-stomping was restored on British coinage by George III, having been partially revived as dragon-spearing by Edward IV in 1465.
Chris Rudd List 160
Ends from
Venue Address
PO Box 222
Aylsham
Norfolk
NR11 6TY
United Kingdom
General delivery information available from the auctioneer
Postage & packing will be added to all invoices. Unless specified otherwise all UK orders sent by Special Delivery. Orders up to £1000 cost £15, over £1000 cost £20. European orders sent International Signed For delivery £15, USA/Canada £25, Rest of World £20.
Important Information
Please read our terms and conditions before bidding.
Terms & Conditions
Terms & Conditions for Chris Rudd eAuctions
These terms are summarised. Liz will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Please email liz@celticcoins.com or phone 01263 735 007 or 07990 840 816.
Our estimated value of each lot is given in the catalogue and online. Bidding starts at approx.80% of this estimate.
How to bid via Internet.Our eAuction is conducted online via www.the-saleroom.com If you wish to bid you must ‘Create an account’ and you will receive an email link confirmation of Registration. This must be activated prior to bidding. You must register to bid for each auction. If you are a new bidder in our sale, please provide numismatic credit references and credit/debit card details to secure any bids you may place. Client data is confidential; we do not share our mailing list or client information unless authorised. We reserve the right to revoke any bids and registrations, restrict accesses, and modify or disable the site or any of its features, at our discretion. We do not make any guarantees regarding accessibility, accuracy, or security of this website with regard to registration of bidding. All financial transactions will be carried out by ourselves, the-saleroom.com requests card information for security reasons and will not debit your card.
How to bid by phone, fax or email. In addition to internet bidding, you may bid by mailing the bid sheet included with each catalogue, or by email, fax or telephone. If you choose to telephone bids, we appreciate a written follow-up. Such bids must be received by 12 midday (UK time) Friday 14 September, after this time we cannot guarantee that bids will be placed. If you wish for any guidance regarding current bids please contact Liz. Online bidding continues until the Lot closes at 5pm (UK time) Sunday 16 September.
Bidding increments. Lots will be sold to the highest bidder for the winning bid. Bidding automatically increases in fixed increments, so you can enter your maximum bid and let our system do the bidding for you. Please ensure your bids comply with the steps outlined below:
Up to £500 in £20 increments
£500-£1000 in £50 increments
£1000-£2000 in £100 increments
£2000-£5000 in £200 increments
Over £5000 in £500 increments
If you enter a high maximum bid you will win at the current bid amount plus increment. Whole number bids only. Bidders personally guarantee that they will pay for their winning bids.
The first lot will close electronically at 5pm (UK time) on the sale date, with subsequent lots closing every 30 seconds thereafter. Please note: Sniper bids are not allowed. If you bid within the last 10 minutes of the Lot closing the time will extend by 10 minutes on that Lot from time of bid.
Personal viewing of lots by appointment only. Please contact Liz to arrange.
How to pay. An 18% buyers fee (21.6% inc. VAT if applicable at the current rate), will be added to the hammer price of all successful online, written, fax, email and phone bids. Bids are placed in GB£ Sterling. Payment is preferred by direct transfer in £ Sterling (GB£): Chris Rudd Ltd Account Number: 63406857, Sort Code: 20-03-26 or by cheque, postal orders, cash (GB£). Visa, MasterCard or debit card accepted. Or by International bank transfer to Barclays Bank PLC, Market Place, Aylsham, Norfolk NR11 6EW. IBAN: GB14 BARC 2003 2663 4068 57. SWIFTBIC: BARCGB22. Please add £6 to cover EU charges, £12 International charges. We also accept US$ cheques with $18 bank fee added. Goods remain our property until paid in full. VAT no. GB 665532227.
Winning lots will be sent as soon as possible after receipt of payment on seven days approval. If you aren’t happy with a coin, please phone before returning it. Prices realised are available by subscription via the-saleroom.com
Postage & packing will be added to all invoices. Unless specified otherwise all UK orders under £50 sent first class post free of charge, orders between £51-99 sent Signed For Delivery £3, orders over £100 sent by Special Delivery £7, orders over £500 post free. All European orders over £100 sent International Signed For delivery £14, Rest of World £18.
Privacy Your details are securely held and will not be shared. They will be retained for processing orders and marketing. Please let us know if you don’t wish to be contacted. You can do this at any time.
Export licences are needed for some coins and can take 4-6 weeks to get. Their purpose is to curb the export of national treasures.
