Ancient coin, 1/4 stater Ambiani tribe, France, c.125 BC

Gold coin; Denomination 1/4 Stater, Issued by the Ambiani Tribe, circa 125 BC. This coin is from a series termed Gallo-Belgic A (Ambiani). Celtic coins used in Britain are referred to by reference to their place of manufacture, Gallo-Belgic coins were struck in what is today France and British coins in Southern England.

The letters A, B etc following the issue designator indicate the chronological order of production as determined by archaeological and coin hoard studies, A being earliest, B next and so on. If an issuing tribe name is known it is added in brackets at the end. This coin was therefore struck in ancient Gaul and was of the type argued to be part of the first invasion, or large scale movement of people from France to England, the tribe involved were the Ambiani. Six such movements are identified from the coins.

There is no historical record of these movements although they are suggested in Julius Caesar's commentary on his Gallic wars (see Commentarii de Bello Gallico 2.4, 5.12) when he notes support from Britain and fugitives fleeing to Belgic settlements in Britain. This was one of the reasons for his invasion in 55 and 54 BC. Obverse: The head of Apollo but, as the die was larger than the coin, only his hair, laurel wreath, eye and the top of his neck are clear. Reverse: A horse advancing to the left with a crudely formed figure of winged Nike flying above. Edge: plain.