Celtic Northeast Gaul, Ambiani silver fraction, 'Picardy Horse Face' type
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Circa 75-50 BC
This Celtic silver fraction from Northeast Gaul, specifically associated with the Ambiani tribe, dates to approximately 75-50 BC. Often described as the 'Picardy Horse Face' type, the coin demonstrates the highly abstract and symbolic artistry characteristic of Iron Age coinage.
The obverse features a stylised, helmeted head facing right, where the nose and eye are formed by the shape of a horse's head; the helmet design also incorporates a spear element. The reverse depicts a horse facing right with a prominent, long beaded mane. In front of the horse is a distinct six-armed star symbol with a ring at its center, with additional rings placed above and a smaller horse's head depicted below. The coin is a small-scale denomination, weighing 0.48 grams and measuring 13 millimeters in diameter.
Its complex, spidery iconography reflects the artistic evolution of Celtic coinage, showing clear influences from earlier Pallas Athene designs and exerting stylistic influence on later British series, such as the Hampshire Thin Silver and the Regini coinage.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Weight
- 0.48gr
- Diameter
- 13mm
- Material
- silver
Technical characteristics
- Die axis
- 11h
Design
- Obverse
- Stylised helmet head right, horse's head forming eye and nose, spear part of helmet
- Reverse
- Horse right, long beaded mane, six-armed star with center ring, two rings above, small horse's head below
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Recorded
- Mint or printer
- Research required
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.