No 640: Tasciovanus Gold Stater

No 640: Tasciovanus Gold Stater: This is a beautiful coin.that has come with the

following description….”Tasciovanus Hidden Faces gold stater, struck by the

Catuvellauni c.20BC-AD10. References: Van Arsdell 1680, British Museum Catalogue

1591-603, Spink Coins of England 2003 edition No 214.

The Hidden Faces staters which form the trademark design of ‘Tasciovanos’ 1st and 2nd

coinage are one of the loveliest examples of vibrant Celtic decorative art within the

British series. Whilst the treatment of the obverse is still purely Celtic in concept, the

more naturistic treatment of the horse on the reverse together with a legend already

betray a degree of Roman influence. Clearly visible and forming the central feature of

the obverse design are the two main hidden faces with their down turned mouths. This

coin forms part of a relatively small issue at the very end of the first coinage, just prior

to the exceedingly rare CAMVL stater (VA 1684). It was quite possibly issued as part of

the preparations for Tasciovanos’ attempt—albeit short lived—to capture Camulodnum

(Colchester), the capital of the neighbouring Trinovantes.

Tacionavus was the King of the Britons in the SE and leader of the Catulvellauni (Celts).

His son was called Cymbeline (Cunobelin). Around 20 BC he minted gold, silver and

copper coins and was the first King to issue inscribed Celtic coins marked with the name

of Verulamium (Roman City of St Albans). His tribe was originally centered there.

Price is &pound2.75 plus postage