Celtiberian Coinage

[IanG]

I've only recently joined this forum, so forgive me if there's been anything on this subject before - I couldn't see anything from a quick search.

Although I have only a modest collection of Celts and am no expert on this subject, I have always very much admired the unique mix of Celtiberian coinage. It has some very attractive and distinct designs. Often a blend of the more realistic Roman style and the more imaginative Celtic style, David Sear still considered it sufficiently associated with the Greek cities of Spain to include a section on it in his Greek Coins, Europe volume. So there's something to satisfy everybody's tastes! 

Here's a couple of my favourites.

Hispania, Castulo.

 Unit (As). Late 2nd century BC.

Diademed male head right; to right, facing hand / Sphinx advancing right; star to right.

CNH 39; SNG BM Spain 1338-1340.

13.51g, 26mm.

 

Hispania, Castulo.

100-75 BC.

Laureate head right; uncertain symbol or letter before / Bull standing right; L and crescent above.

Alvarez Burgos 119, 897; SNG Cop. 214.

4.12 g.

 

 Please post your own Celtiberians or indeed any coins from ancient Spain.

[Charles H]

Welcome to the forum @IanG.  Two interesting coins.  Celtiberians are also an interest of mine - here is a couple  of my favorites

 

 

ARECORATAS (Agreda, Soria). Semis. (Ae. 3.55g / 19mm). 150-20 BC

(FAB-92). ACIP 1779

Anv: Male head to right, behind dolphin.

Rev: Rooster  right, Iberian inscription: ARECoRATaS.

 

 SAITI (Xátiva, Valencia). As. (Ae. 13.49g / 28mm). 120-20 BC

 (FAB-2100).  ACIP 2031

 Anv: Diademed male head wearing torque* right, behind palm.

 Rev: Rider with spear to the right, below Iberian legend: SAITi.

 

* This looks like a torque to me, but not all the references agree

 

 

[Celator]

Nice examples here.

Bascunes
After 150 BC
AR Denarius
Obvs: Bearded male right.
Revs: Rider on horse holding sword.
17x18mm, 4.02g
CNH 12

Titiakos
100 to 80 BC
AE AS
Obvs: Bearded male head right. Ψ behind
Revs: Horseman riding right, holding spear.
23x24mm, 7.7g
CNH 296.12

Obulco
After 150 BC
AE As
Obvs: OBVLCO, Female head right.
Revs: Iberic inscription between plow and wheat ear.
23x29mm, 10.34g
CNH 347.38

 

[John Conduitt]

5 hours ago, IanG said:

I've only recently joined this forum, so forgive me if there's been anything on this subject before - I couldn't see anything from a quick search.

Although I have only a modest collection of Celts and am no expert on this subject, I have always very much admired the unique mix of Celtiberian coinage. It has some very attractive and distinct designs. Often a blend of the more realistic Roman style and the more imaginative Celtic style, David Sear still considered it sufficiently associated with the Greek cities of Spain to include a section on it in his Greek Coins, Europe volume. So there's something to satisfy everybody's tastes! 

Here's a couple of my favourites.

Hispania, Castulo.

 Unit (As). Late 2nd century BC.

Diademed male head right; to right, facing hand / Sphinx advancing right; star to right.

CNH 39; SNG BM Spain 1338-1340.

13.51g, 26mm.

 

Hispania, Castulo.

100-75 BC.

Laureate head right; uncertain symbol or letter before / Bull standing right; L and crescent above.

Alvarez Burgos 119, 897; SNG Cop. 214.

4.12 g.

 

 Please post your own Celtiberians or indeed any coins from ancient Spain.

Those are beautiful coins and very distinctive. Yes, the Celts didn't seem to mind taking inspiration from whoever was attacking them.

[John Conduitt]

2 hours ago, Celator said:

Nice examples here.

Bascunes
After 150 BC
AR Denarius
Obvs: Bearded male right.
Revs: Rider on horse holding sword.
17x18mm, 4.02g
CNH 12

Titiakos
100 to 80 BC
AE AS
Obvs: Bearded male head right. Ψ behind
Revs: Horseman riding right, holding spear.
23x24mm, 7.7g
CNH 296.12

Obulco
After 150 BC
AE As
Obvs: OBVLCO, Female head right.
Revs: Iberic inscription between plow and wheat ear.
23x29mm, 10.34g
CNH 347.38

 

I love the character of the portraits. That Obulco As is incredible.

[Spaniard]

Great looking coins!...

Here's one of my favourites..

Spain, Bolskan (Osca). Circa 150-100 BC. AE Unit (10.35 gm, 24mm).
Obverse: Bearded head right; dolphin behind.
Reverse: "BOLSKAN" in Celt-Iberian in exergue, rider on horse right, holding spear; star behind.
CNH 8; SNG BM Spain 734; SNG Copenhagen 325. VF.

[Edessa]

Definitely some of my favorite types.

Iberia, Malaka. 2nd century BC. Æ Unit (25mm, 14.19g, 11h). Obv: Bearded head of Hephaistos left, wearing conical cap; tongs to right; all within laurel wreath. Rev: Radiate facing head of Helios. Ref: ACIP 790. Extra Fine, dark green patina with light earthen dusting. From the Asher D. Atchick Collection. Ex CNG eAuction 431 (24 Oct 2018), Lot 6. Ex CNG eAuction 459 (8 Jan 2020), Lot 6.

Iberia. Turiaso (Tarazona). Circa 50-20 BC. Æ As. (28mm, 11.25g, 6h). Obv: SILBIS; Female head laureate to right. Rev: Lancer rider with arm raised to the left, in exergue TURIASO. Ref: FAB 2434; ACIP 1737; APRH 401. Very Fine, nice green patina. Very scarce. Ex Aureo & Calico (7 Jul 2022), Lot 254. 

Iberia. Titiakos, early 1st century BC. Æ Unit (22.5mm, 8.66g, 11h). Obv: Bare male head right; Iberian ti below. Rev: Warrior, holding spear, on horseback right. Ref: ACIP 1897; SNG BM Spain 1074–5. Extra Fine, glossy dark green patina. From the Asher D. Atchick Collection. Ex CNG eAuction 359 (9 Sept 2015), Lot 1. Ex CNG eAuction 459 (8 Jan 2020), Lot 7. 

 

[IanG]

Thanks to everyone for your responses, there are some beautiful coins above.

[Ursus]

On 8/18/2022 at 5:59 PM, IanG said:

Here's a couple of my favourites.

I definitely understand why – these two are fantastic!

Though I don't collect Celtiberian coins systematically, I picked up this one on a whim because I liked the scallop design:

Iberia, Arse (Saguntum), Edetani tribe (under Roman rule), AE quadrans, ca. 170–120 BC. Obv: scallop. Rev: "AIUBaS" in Iberian letters; dolphin; above, three pellets. 17mm, 4.13g. Ref: Álvarez-Burgos 2008 (ABH) 2051.