Stanley Gibbons Baldwin’s is thrilled to present the Ancient, British and World Coins Auction at 399 Strand on Wednesday 12 March. Highlights of the auction include one of the most important Ancient coins ever discovered, a unique Celtic gold coin struck at Calleva (modern-day Silchester in Hampshire) in AD43 – just after the Roman invasion of Britain.
This extraordinary coin was minted by Caratacus, one of Iron Age Britain's most famous warlords, who was often 'blamed' for the Roman invasion of Britain. A unique Gold Stater now labelled as the most important Iron Age coin from Britain, the obverse shows an ear of grain with the inscription ‘Cunobelinus’ for his father, the grain probably being an ode to the abundant harvests which led to the tribe's economic prosperity. The reverse depicts a horseman with the Latin inscription ‘Carat’ – leaving no doubt as to who was responsible for its creation.
Discovered by a detectorist in a field near Newbury, Berkshire, in 2019, it was sold at auction the following year for a record £88,000 including buyers premium. It is available from SGBaldwins.com on Wednesday 12th March with a start price of £70,000.
"While we often sell extremely rare coins at Baldwin's, it's unusual to offer something completely unique and of national importance. We're all excited to be auctioning this beautiful piece of British history.” - Dominic Chorney, Ancient Coin Specialist, Stanley Gibbons Baldwin’s
Caratacus is an infamous figure in folklore, having fought and rebelled against Rome for nearly a decade, after expanding the Catuvellauni tribe’s control to cover modern-day Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, as well as swathes of Essex, Cambridgeshire and Oxfordshire. One of his vanquished foes, Verica, fled to Rome appealing for their support which has led some to lay the blame for the Roman invasion at the feet of Catatacus.
AD50 was the year he eventually decided to meet the Romans head on at the battle of Caer Caradoc, after 8 years of employing guerrilla tactics and frustrating the Roman forces and their advances. It was here he was defeated and later captured after being betrayed by the Yorkshire Queen Cartimandua.
Though it was commonplace for opposing chieftains to face a swift death, Caratacus was instead sent to Rome, when brought before Claudius, it is said he spoke eloquently in fluent Latin, praising the Roman forces and the manner of their victory. This speech famously led to his pardon, and he was granted a villa in Rome for the remainder of his days along with his family.
Despite his fame, for centuries it was thought no Caratacus coins actually existed – Evans described their existence as 'dubious at best’ in his 1864 numismatic text - The Coins of the Ancient Britons.
Ancient Coin Specialist
Dominic specialises in the ancient world with a master’s degree in Ancient Visual and Material Culture. Dominic is also an independent treasure valuer for the British Museum and accomplished auctioneer.
For more information about the upcoming Ancient, British and World Coin Auction, visit www.SGBaldwins.com