Spain, Barscunes ... sometimes they just speak to you

astrorat · December 2, 2014 2:41PM

I was browsing Roman Republican coins and somehow I got sidetracked. I found this Drachm-Denarius from the 2nd-1st centuries BC. I just couldn't pass it up. I visited it online day after day ... and it finally won me over! I am intrigued by the similarity to Roman Republican coins and don't believe these were imitations as some of the Celtic pieces imitated Roman coins. I am a novice with these coins so have mercy if I am not making sense.

Image was taken, I assume, before NGC slabbed it. For those who are curious, it's graded Ch VF*, Strike 5, Surfaces 5

determined · December 2, 2014 4:17PM

An absolutely cool style!

LochNESS · December 2, 2014 5:36PM

That's a fun design. I like how the connect-the-dots font theme carries over into the horse and beard.

A beautiful coin with natural wear. Good pick up

Zohar · December 2, 2014 9:45PM

Definitely seems like a Celtic imitation to me. very nice coin!

astrorat · December 2, 2014 9:57PM

<< <i>Definitely seems like a Celtic imitation to me. very nice coin! >>

I have not really studied the Celtic imitations very much, just run across them from time to time. IIRC, the imitations have "nonsense" lettering and were made to appear Roman so they would be accepted in commerce (as opposed to outright forgeries). Am I remembering that correctly?

My understanding of this coin is that the inscription IMONKS and other similar variants are appropriate references to Barscunes (as opposed to nonsensical letters). Would this then be considered an imitation or a similar, yet "less artistic" official issue?

Or, it may have just been easier to ask how is a Celtic imitation defined?

I appreciate the help ... lots of stuff to learn!

determined · December 2, 2014 10:16PM

I immediately thought it a Celtic imitation also.

<< <i>Or, it may have just been easier to ask how is a Celtic imitation defined? >>

It's one of those, "you know it when you see it" things.
After you have seen enough of them they are easy to recognize by the style. And especially more so if you are familiar with the coin being imitated.

astrorat · December 2, 2014 10:53PM

I should have been clearer on my question about the definition of a Celtic imitation. I should have asked if a Celtic imitation is a contemporaneous counterfeit or an "official" issue in the style of another state issued coin.

Also, who issued Celtic imitation coins? I don't mean for that to sound like "who's buried in Grant's tomb," but were the Celtic imitation from a central issuing authority or just a style adopted and attributed to the Celts?

Thanks for all the help.

bronzemat · December 3, 2014 12:13AM

Usually its a copy of another type in ancient times. Many celtics I see are abstractish to official issues of better style.

Great coin though, never seen one in that type.

TIF2 · December 3, 2014 4:08AM

That's a handsome coin

STLNATS · December 3, 2014 6:24AM

Beautiful, well executed example. I thought that while these were usually were modelled on other ancient coins, but that a "celtic style" developed over time, some of which are alarmingly modernistic/abstract. They seem to have been issued all over the place (beyond the frontiers of the greek and roman world), but I'm not sure they're contemporary counterfeits in the way one normally thinks of that term. Realizing that I really don't know much about these, I guess it's time to do a little research.

Congrats on a wonderful find.

CIVITAS · December 4, 2014 2:48AM

A Celtic imitation was generally a local attempt by a Celtic culture to directly copy an existing coin made by another culture.

This is a Celtic imitation of a Philip II tetradrachm from Macedon:

So is this:

Here is an original Macedonian issue:

You are right in that the legends generally were muddled nonsense on the Celtic version, as they probably didn't understand the language on the original coin, or didn't care to copy it letter for letter for one reason or another. The style was usually degenerate compared to the originals as well. As for who made them, we're not always entirely sure. They are generally catalogued by geographic region or tribe rather than being attributed to a central authority of any kind.

As for your Spanish piece, while it may have been inspired by some Roman coins, it's probably unfair to call it an "imitation." It's not directly copying a known coin of the time (I don't think) and it has its own local language in Oscan text on it. It could stand on its own as vouching for the establishment of an independent and advanced culture.

Spain, Barscunes ... sometimes they just speak to you

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