31
Diassu Saltire. Catuvellauni. c.AD1-10. Celtic silver unit. 13mm. 1.06g.
1/2
Auctioneer has chosen not to publish the price of this lot
Norwich, Norfolk
Description
Diassu Saltire. c.AD1-10. Silver unit. 13mm. 1.06g. Saltire over cross within square, enclosed by pellet circle in serpentine border./ Chubby boar right, TASCIO above and DI[AS] below. ABC 2742, VA−, BMC 1663, S 267. CCI 11.0336 (this coin). Good VF, beautifully toned silver with iridescent blue hues, superb saltire, full bodied boar, bold TASCIO. One of the finest we’ve had. Ex Vaudrey collection. VERY RARE
For nearly twenty years we’ve been suggesting that British Druids influenced the design of British Celtic coins (see Druids and coins, Chris Rudd List 72, 2003, p.2-3; Britain’s First Coins, Chris Rudd 2013, pp.19-20; Coins of the Iceni, Chris Rudd 2022, pp.6-8). Now this remarkable Diassu Saltire unit – one of the best we’ve seen – provides further evidence of Druidic influence. The great Celtic etymologist, Dr Xavier Delamarre, says that diassu- is a title of a chief or king “ordained or chosen according to ritual” (2003, p.144), “probably a religious title” (2019, p.288). So the regal name Diassu-, probably an abbreviation of Diassumaros, might be interpreted as ‘great in sacred ritual’, in other words, a chief priest or chief tribal Druid. That’s not all. As Rainer Kretz said in 2010, the cross on the Diassu Saltire may be a four-leaf clover. The Gaulish for clover is visumaros ‘great in knowledge’, cognate with English ‘wise’ and ‘wisdom’, a great symbol for a Druid (which means ‘oak knower’). It may be significant that a cross occurs on a Druidic bronze coin of the Ambiani, LT 8472, DT 404 (see Druids and the Coriosolites, in War Coins of the Sun Warriors, Chris Rudd 2018, pp.20-21). Dr John Sills says diassu- “could imply a quasi-religious role for Diassu. It is not impossible that rulers with several sons, as Tasciovanos and Cunobelinus are thought to have had, encouraged one or more to pursue a druidical career in order to reduce internal rivalry, and Diassu may be one such” (Divided Kingdoms: The Iron Age gold coinage of southern Britain, Chris Rudd 2017, p.586).
Auction Details
Shipping
T&Cs & Important Info
Ask seller a question
Diassu Saltire. c.AD1-10. Silver unit. 13mm. 1.06g. Saltire over cross within square, enclosed by pellet circle in serpentine border./ Chubby boar right, TASCIO above and DI[AS] below. ABC 2742, VA−, BMC 1663, S 267. CCI 11.0336 (this coin). Good VF, beautifully toned silver with iridescent blue hues, superb saltire, full bodied boar, bold TASCIO. One of the finest we’ve had. Ex Vaudrey collection. VERY RARE
For nearly twenty years we’ve been suggesting that British Druids influenced the design of British Celtic coins (see Druids and coins, Chris Rudd List 72, 2003, p.2-3; Britain’s First Coins, Chris Rudd 2013, pp.19-20; Coins of the Iceni, Chris Rudd 2022, pp.6-8). Now this remarkable Diassu Saltire unit – one of the best we’ve seen – provides further evidence of Druidic influence. The great Celtic etymologist, Dr Xavier Delamarre, says that diassu- is a title of a chief or king “ordained or chosen according to ritual” (2003, p.144), “probably a religious title” (2019, p.288). So the regal name Diassu-, probably an abbreviation of Diassumaros, might be interpreted as ‘great in sacred ritual’, in other words, a chief priest or chief tribal Druid. That’s not all. As Rainer Kretz said in 2010, the cross on the Diassu Saltire may be a four-leaf clover. The Gaulish for clover is visumaros ‘great in knowledge’, cognate with English ‘wise’ and ‘wisdom’, a great symbol for a Druid (which means ‘oak knower’). It may be significant that a cross occurs on a Druidic bronze coin of the Ambiani, LT 8472, DT 404 (see Druids and the Coriosolites, in War Coins of the Sun Warriors, Chris Rudd 2018, pp.20-21). Dr John Sills says diassu- “could imply a quasi-religious role for Diassu. It is not impossible that rulers with several sons, as Tasciovanos and Cunobelinus are thought to have had, encouraged one or more to pursue a druidical career in order to reduce internal rivalry, and Diassu may be one such” (Divided Kingdoms: The Iron Age gold coinage of southern Britain, Chris Rudd 2017, p.586).
Chris Rudd Auction 185
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 18 November, 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 20 November.
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.
