A 2,200-year-old Celtic gold coin found close to Leipzig by a metallic detectorist is the oldest coin present in Saxony. It’s one in every of solely 11 Celtic cash ever present in Saxony, and a kind of is misplaced. Out of the ten remaining, solely one in every of them is gold and it’s worn easy, not like this one which is in like-new situation.
The coin was found in July by metallic detectorist Daniel Fest. He’s licensed by the Saxon State Workplace for Archaeology (LfA) to scan for archaeological supplies which he turns over to cultural heritage authorities when he finds any. It was examined by State Archaeologist Dr. Regina Smolnik who recognized it a gold quarter stater originating within the Celtic settlement space of Bohemia.
It’s half the diameter of a penny and weighing simply two grams. Also referred to as a rainbow cup coin, the quarter stater is domed and legend has it that these cash fell out of the sky on the finish of a rainbow. It’s extremely pure, composed of 99% gold, and in near-mint situation. It dates to the third century B.C.
The obverse depicts a stylized head of an animal going through ahead with eyes on all sides of a protracted nostril, horns and a big brow bump. The reverse of the coin has an open circle form with widened ends: a torc with trumpet terminals. Contained in the torc is a five-pointed star with rounded factors, and a sphere on the backside middle of the star above the torc terminals. Torcs had been highly effective protecting amulets and symbols of aristocracy in Celtic society. They had been used as an inventive motif as properly, and seem on 5 denominations of gold and silver cash minted in Bohemia beginning within the late third century B.C.
Gold quarter staters are very uncommon, solely minted within the early part of Celtic coin manufacturing in northern Bohemia. They had been quickly changed by 1/3 staters, fed by the commerce in high-value Baltic amber. Solely a handful of examples of the few documented sorts of Bohemian gold quarter staters are recognized to exist.
State archaeologist Regina Smolnik: “Celtic cash are a rarity in Saxony. Though Saxony lies outdoors the Celtic settlement space, this priceless new discover is additional proof that there have been common contacts and connections. Whereas we consult with the article as a ‘coin,’ it may be assumed that this virtually mint-fresh new discover was hardly in circulation within the sense of a coin financial system. Moderately, it was doubtless a standing image or a retailer of worth for an higher class with commerce relations with the Celts.”
The coin might be transferred to the LfA Museum in Chemnitz and might be placed on public show.
