Leu Numismatik AG
Auction 1 25 Oct 2017
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CELTIC, Central Gaul. Uncertain tribe. Mid 1st century BC. Quinarius (Silver, 12 mm, 1.40 g, 3 h). Draped bust of Mercury to right, wearing winged diadem and holding caduceus over shoulder. Rev. Horse to left, with long tail and two pellets above. A. de Barthélémy, Monnaies gauloises inédites et rectifications, RN 1883, p. 11, 8 and pl. I, 8 corr. = LT 2349. D&T -. Of the highest rarity, possibly only the second example known. Darkly toned. The reverse struck somewhat off center, otherwise, good very fine.
From the Helvetii Collection, formed in the 1970s and 1980s.
De Barthélémy described the reverse on the Paris example as 'partie postérieure d'un quadrupède courant à gauche'. Our example shows that this is a misinterpretation caused by an off-centered strike: it is clearly a full horse prancing to the left and not just the rear part of it. A closely related type, with the same obverse, features a reverse with a bull springing to the right and the legend DONN (RN 1883, p. 11, 9). It is tempting to connect this issue to the Potins of the Arverni naming a DONNADV (D&T 3595-3598), but the homonymy may be a coincidence and thus does not allow a definite attribution. In any case, this is an extremely rare and intriguing coin and it should be of great interest to the specialist!
From the Helvetii Collection, formed in the 1970s and 1980s.
De Barthélémy described the reverse on the Paris example as 'partie postérieure d'un quadrupède courant à gauche'. Our example shows that this is a misinterpretation caused by an off-centered strike: it is clearly a full horse prancing to the left and not just the rear part of it. A closely related type, with the same obverse, features a reverse with a bull springing to the right and the legend DONN (RN 1883, p. 11, 9). It is tempting to connect this issue to the Potins of the Arverni naming a DONNADV (D&T 3595-3598), but the homonymy may be a coincidence and thus does not allow a definite attribution. In any case, this is an extremely rare and intriguing coin and it should be of great interest to the specialist!