2
Normandy Two Sword. Baiocasses. c.late 3rd-early 2nd cent. BC. Celtic gold 1/2 stater. 16mm. 3.56g.
1/2
Auctioneer has chosen not to publish the price of this lot
Norwich, Norfolk
Description
Normandy Two Sword. Baiocasses. c.late 3rd-early 2nd cent. BC. Gold half stater. 16mm. 3.56g. Apollo head right, crescentic ear, pellet triad on cheek, ‘ram’s horn’ hairlock, four-pellet cross in front and below./ Horse right, with charioteer holding sword, sword pointing to left below, serpent rising up in front, exergual line with decoration below. LT 6397-98, DT 2042. BNJ Coin Register 2018, No.3, p.221 and plate 8, no.3 (this coin), CCI 17.0666 (this coin), PAS: KENT-5C95B8 (this coin). VF, light lemony gold, charming charioteer. First we’ve had of this elegant and elusive type. Found Shepherdswell, Kent, 16 December 2016. EXCESSIVELY RARE as UK find, only two others recorded, inc. one plated.
There is an amazing war-story behind this Druid-designed war-coin. War-bands from Belgium (Picardy) first crossed into Britain to plunder and make war (Julius Caesar, BG 5.12), and this half-stater, with another also found in Kent (Chris Rudd List 144, Lot 1), is a relic of those early times, and suggests a call to arms. War-lords in Picardy must have had allies in Lower Normandy, more of whose gold coins were found in a war-memorial near Amiens (dated 260–250 BC). This generation may have earned legendary status: some of their die designs were used for centuries afterwards (See Philip de Jersey, Coinage in Iron Age Armorica pp. 42-7), and Caen, regional capital of Lower Normandy, takes its name from Gaulish catumagos, ‘battlefield’ or ‘place of military assembly’. Here, the serpentine motif with a hook at one end and a loop at the other exactly resembles the heavy iron belt-chains from which warrior-aristocrats slung military swords for combat. These could be forged to resemble serpents (a propitious charm), and with the smith’s hammer, this design conveys, ‘get ready, gird your loins’. But not with the swords depicted here, which are a rare and specialised ritual blade whose human symbolism at the hilt barely changed for centuries (see Andrew Fitzpatrick, PPS 1996, 373-8; and here you see the head very clearly). They were probably used in rites that included determining when was a propitious time for an enterprise - in this case, embarking on a military campaign. The only other gold example of this type was found at Reculver, Kent, before 1905 (Origins, plate 13, no.30). Will you have to wait over 100 years for the next one?
Auction Details
Shipping
T&Cs & Important Info
Ask seller a question
Normandy Two Sword. Baiocasses. c.late 3rd-early 2nd cent. BC. Gold half stater. 16mm. 3.56g. Apollo head right, crescentic ear, pellet triad on cheek, ‘ram’s horn’ hairlock, four-pellet cross in front and below./ Horse right, with charioteer holding sword, sword pointing to left below, serpent rising up in front, exergual line with decoration below. LT 6397-98, DT 2042. BNJ Coin Register 2018, No.3, p.221 and plate 8, no.3 (this coin), CCI 17.0666 (this coin), PAS: KENT-5C95B8 (this coin). VF, light lemony gold, charming charioteer. First we’ve had of this elegant and elusive type. Found Shepherdswell, Kent, 16 December 2016. EXCESSIVELY RARE as UK find, only two others recorded, inc. one plated.
There is an amazing war-story behind this Druid-designed war-coin. War-bands from Belgium (Picardy) first crossed into Britain to plunder and make war (Julius Caesar, BG 5.12), and this half-stater, with another also found in Kent (Chris Rudd List 144, Lot 1), is a relic of those early times, and suggests a call to arms. War-lords in Picardy must have had allies in Lower Normandy, more of whose gold coins were found in a war-memorial near Amiens (dated 260–250 BC). This generation may have earned legendary status: some of their die designs were used for centuries afterwards (See Philip de Jersey, Coinage in Iron Age Armorica pp. 42-7), and Caen, regional capital of Lower Normandy, takes its name from Gaulish catumagos, ‘battlefield’ or ‘place of military assembly’. Here, the serpentine motif with a hook at one end and a loop at the other exactly resembles the heavy iron belt-chains from which warrior-aristocrats slung military swords for combat. These could be forged to resemble serpents (a propitious charm), and with the smith’s hammer, this design conveys, ‘get ready, gird your loins’. But not with the swords depicted here, which are a rare and specialised ritual blade whose human symbolism at the hilt barely changed for centuries (see Andrew Fitzpatrick, PPS 1996, 373-8; and here you see the head very clearly). They were probably used in rites that included determining when was a propitious time for an enterprise - in this case, embarking on a military campaign. The only other gold example of this type was found at Reculver, Kent, before 1905 (Origins, plate 13, no.30). Will you have to wait over 100 years for the next one?
Chris Rudd Auction 180
Ends from
Venue Address
PO Box 1500
Norwich
Norfolk
NR10 5WS
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 Auctions
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 80% of this estimate. Estimates shown in BLACK, Starting Prices shown in RED.
How to bid via Internet.Our Auction 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 or email. In addition to internet bidding, you may bid by mailing the bid sheet included with each catalogue, or by email or telephone. If you choose to telephone your bids, we appreciate a written follow-up. Bids must be received by 12 midday (UK time) Friday 14 January, 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 January.
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 the lot closing the time will extend by 10 minutes on that lot, from the time of bid.
Personal viewing of lots by appointment only. Please contact Liz to arrange.
How to pay. A 20% buyers fee (24% 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£). 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 ensure all charges are paid or add £6 to cover EU charges, £12 International charges. Visa, MasterCard or debit card accepted. We also accept US$ cheques with $25 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 sent by Special Delivery £12. European orders sent International Signed For delivery £15, USA/Canada, £25, Rest of World £20.
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.
