Cunobeline Stater: Tablet on Wreath (reverse); Two Horses and Wheel (Cleveland Museum of Art 1969.152)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
c. 10–40 CE
Cunobeline is mentioned by various Roman historians. He was a powerful ruler, the son of Tasciovanus. He is known to have had one brother, Epaticcus, and possibly another, Sego, as well as two sons, Caratacus and Togodumnus.
The history of this ancient time is very confused, particularly over family relationships; some of the sons and brothers may well have been sons-in-law and brothers-in-law. Cunobeline had his capital at Camulodunum, now Colchester. The workmanship of this extremely rare piece is remarkable in many ways. Study of the obverse shows that at least one of the V-shaped ornaments referred to by scholars is traditionally described as "heart" shape.
In fact it is the little ivy leaf frequently found on Roman coins. The two well-executed, three-dimensional spirited horses on the reverse are unusual. One such animal is normally all the engraver of the period usually attempts. The wheel of the lost chariot is still present and the neat design of a leaf as an ornament is interesting. All this design detail serves to crowd off all but a few letters of the ruler's name.
The CAMVL on the obverse makes this one of the earliest British native coins to state its mint town origin. Cleveland Museum of Art object 1969.152: Cunobeline Stater: Tablet on Wreath (reverse); Two Horses and Wheel (reverse), c. 10–40 CE. England. Gold; diameter: 1.8 cm (11/16 in.). Inscribed: CAMVL; [CVNO]BELI[N]. Details are those of this museum object; how far it represents a wider type has not been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 3
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Cunobeline's name is derived from Common Brittonic Cunobelinos, which translates to "strong as a dog."
Physical characteristics
- Materials
- gold
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 1.8 cm (11/16 in.)
- Measurements
- Diameter: 1.8 cm (11/16 in.)
- Material and technique
- gold
Design
- Inscriptions
- CAMVL; [CVNO]BELI[N]
Identification
- Date recorded
- c. 10–40 CE
- Culture period
- England
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Museum object number
- 1969.152
- Published references
- Cleveland Museum of Art, and Emery May Norweb. English Gold Coins, Ancient to Modern Times, On Loan to the Cleveland Museum of Art from the Norweb Collection. 1968. pp. 11 Emery May Norweb Collection (Cleveland, Ohio), Emery May Norweb, C. E. Blunt, F. Elmore Jones, and R. P. Mack. Collection of Ancient British, Romano-British and English Coins. London: Spink, 1971. pp. 1, 17-18 Fliegel, Stephen. "A Little-Known Celtic Stone Head." The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 77, no. 3 (1990): 82-103. Reproduced and Mentioned: p. 88
- Museum classification
- Coins
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- 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.
Research required
- Research required: this record describes a single museum object; confirm the wider coin type and standard catalogue references (e.g. SNG, RPC, RIC) against numismatic literature.