Celtic Coins
Coming up for sale in our 24-25 November 2026 auction of Coins & Exonumia. These were influenced by Ancient Greek and Roman coins, which came to Britain through trade. The classical designs were interpreted and re-interpreted over and over until the designs became abstract. Many also feature uniquely Celtic ideas of art and iconography. Later client Kings took on the stylings of Roman art and Latin inscriptions. After the Roman invasion of Britain in AD 43 these local issues were replaced by Roman coins.
The individual coin selected is a reddish-gold Stater struck around 55 BC in the Hampshire area, by a tribe believed to be have been named the Belgae. It is known as a ‘Cheriton Smiler’ or sometimes called a “Cheshire Cat” Stater, since it resembles the grinning cat from Alice in Wonderland. Believe it or not the obverse (front) design is derived from a classical Greek portrait of Apollo, and the design on the reverse (back) was originally a horse-drawn chariot. The original Greek depictions were found on gold Staters of Philip II, King of Macedon and father of Alexander the Great. The original coins were copied by the Gauls (of modern day France and Belgium) who traded directly with the Greeks. The Gallic coins found their way to Britain and were copied again. By the time Greek art reached Britain it had devolved into a series of shapes with added whimsical features.
Coming up in Lockdales’ Auction #329: Coins & Exonumia, 24-25 November 2026.
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