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Triskeles Sale 20  30 Jun 2017
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Lot 9

Estimate: 2000 USD
Price realized: 1200 USD
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Britain, Kent Region. Cantiaci. Solidus. Ca. A.D. 40-43. AR unit (12 mm, 1.29 g, 3 h). Solidus type. SOLIDV on plain field, chain border / CV-NO, figure standing facing, head left, holding staff. ABC 474; Van Arsdell 2073; BMC 1894-5; SCBC 351. Toned. Good very fine.

From the KJG Collection of British Celtic Coins. Ex Liz's List (April 2006), 18.

It is not certain whether SOLIDV as inscribed on the obverse of this coin refers to a place name (Solidunon, 'fort of the sun') or an individual (Solidus, 'firm' or 'enduring'). The authors of ABC suggest that it was an individual, a king who briefly ruled in Kent on behalf of Cunobelin, perhaps his naval commander or possibly a younger son. The suggestion that he was a naval commander is interesting: the reverse of this coin with its figure standing left, arm outstretched and holding a staff, strongly resembles the abundant Roman bronze asses in the name of Agrippa, Augustus' friend and naval commander, struck during the reign of Gaius Caligula (RIC 58) which show Neptune on the reverse, holding a dolphin in his outstretched hand and a trident. Indeed, the only other coin of Solidus, another silver unit (ABC 477), depicts a dolphin on the obverse.

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