CELTIC. Pannonia. c. 3rd-2nd century BC.
CELTIC. Pannonia. c. 3rd-2nd century BC.
AR Tetradrachm, 14.01g (24mm, 7h). Bearded male wearing laureate headdress (Zeus?) / Stylistic rider with cinched waistline. In front and back, zigzag lines. Under the horse, the symbol of the Audoleon.
Pedigree: Ex Peus Nachf. 360, Frankfurt am Main 1999, lot 152
References: Göbl, Ostkelten Typ 429; Kostial 723 (same dies); Dembski 1343 ff.; Slg. Flesche 563 (this coin).
Grade: Fantastic strike, toning and style. Very rare in this condition. Some very minor marks. FDC. (gk1634)
Scroll down for more information about this coin.
Celtic coinage has some of the most interesting imagery found on ancient coins. Many of the images are stylized, some enough that you can still identify that the copied design was from Thasos, Philip II, etc. Others are true works of art, almost Picasso-esque where the designs sometimes take the collector by surprise. This coin is a possible contemporary imitation of Philip II. Tetradrachms of Philip II show Zeus on the obverse and a horse/rider on the reverse. They were struck across several mints in the Greek world so their influence on local officials and die engravers would have been probable.