Celtic Coins

Which coins are considered Celtic coins?

Celtic coins were minted by various Celtic tribes and kingdoms during the Iron Age, which spanned from the late 4th century BC to the mid-1st century AD. They were circulated in regions inhabited by Celtic peoples, including Gaul, Britain, Iberia, the Danube Region, Germania, and Central Europe. Initially, they copied Greek designs, especially Macedonian designs. However, Celtic coins developed distinct styles and imagery related to the region where they were minted.

What are the characteristics of Celtic coins?

Celtic coins were typically made of gold, silver, or bronze, and decorated with patterns and imagery that reflected the cultural and religious beliefs of the Celts. Many coins were struck using a technique known as "cast coinage," in which the molten metal was poured into a mould and allowed to cool, resulting in a spherical shape. Initially, the coins drew inspiration from Greek designs, particularly those found on Macedonian coins during the reigns of Philip II of Macedon and Alexander the Great. As a result, Greek motifs and even Greek letters can be observed on various Celtic coins. The imagery depicted on them encompasses depictions of giants dragging severed heads on ropes, horsemen galloping into the midst of battle, gods and goddesses, skulls and chariot wheels, symbols of thunderbolts and lightning, as well as representations of the sun and the moon.

What are the different types of Celtic coins?

Celtic coins exhibit a rich variety of types, each with its own distinctive features and historical significance. Among the most prominent types are staters, which are large and intricately designed coins made of gold or silver. They often depict mythical or divine figures, animals, and abstract patterns. Quarter staters, smaller versions of staters, share similar motifs but on a reduced scale. Units, another common type, are smaller denomination coins typically made of bronze and may display geometric patterns or stylized animal imagery. Potins, on the other hand, are alloy coins with their own unique designs, often featuring abstract symbols or animal motifs. Additionally, there are imitative coins that resemble Greek and Roman coins, evidencing the Celtic fascination with the classical world.

What are the most valuable Celtic coins?

Among the most valuable and sought-after Celtic coins are those that bear the image of Vercingetorix, the legendary Gallic chief who led the resistance against Julius Caesar during the Gallic Wars. These coins, known as Vercingetorix Staters, capture the spirit of Celtic defiance and command high prices in the numismatic market. Another noteworthy type of Celtic coinage is the Ambiani Gold Stater, minted by the Gaulish Ambiani tribe, which are highly prized by collectors due to their intricate designs. Finally, the Gallo-Belgic Gold Staters represent a fusion of Celtic and Roman influences that appeals to collectors interested in the cross-cultural exchange between both civilizations.

Which Celtic coins can you purchase at VCoins?

At VCoins, we offer a wide collection of Ancient Celtic coins minted by diverse Celtic tribes across Gaul, Britain, Macedonian Thrace, Germany, central Europe, the Danube region, and south-eastern Europe. Moreover, customers can also find Celtic coins whose minting remains uncertain. It is important to note that Celtic coins minted in Spain can be found under the Celtiberian section in the Ancient Spanish category.

Gaulish Celtic coinage

Gaulish Celtic coinage refers to the coins minted by the Celtic tribes in Gaul, such as the Pictones, the Remi, the Bellovaques, the Senones, and the Carnutes. These coins emerged in the 3rd century BC and were produced until the Roman conquest of Gaul in the 1st century BC. They were typically made of gold, silver, or bronze, and their designs exhibited a rich array of motifs. Many of them were influenced by Greek coinage, with some Gaulish tribes imitating Greek designs and adopting Greek motifs, such as the head of Apollo on the obverse and the two-horse chariot on the reverse of the gold stater of Philip II. Later, designs started to become more symbolic and began to encompass a wide range of themes, including mythical creatures, gods and goddesses, animals, and abstract symbols. Following the Roman invasion of Gaul, Greek-inspired Celtic coinage started to incorporate Roman influence, until it disappeared to be replaced by Roman coinage.

British Celtic coinage

British Celtic currency encompassed a range of items and coins that served as a means of exchange in Britain from around 200 BC to AD 60. Initially, the currency mainly consisted of iron bars in various shapes. The introduction of coins began around 150 BC when a significant number of coins were imported whereas domestic minting started around 100 BC. The production of coins, however, saw a decline due to the Roman conquest of Britain, first by the Claudian invasion in AD 43, and later by the Defeat of Boudica in AD 60 or 61, putting an end to Celtic coin production. Unlike the more imitative Gaulish Celtic coins, British Celtic coinage developed its own distinct style and iconography, with an emphasis on abstract elements and stylized representations. Another notable aspect of these coins is the occurrence of inscriptions, which were usually written in an ancient Celtic language

Thraco Macedonian Celtic coinage

Thraco-Macedonian Celtic coins are a specific type of coinage that emerged during the late 3rd century BC in the region encompassing Thrace and Macedonia, which were influenced by Celtic tribes. These coins display a unique blend of Celtic and Hellenistic artistic styles, reflecting the cultural interactions and trade networks between the Celtic and Greek populations in the area. The designs on them often feature abstract motifs, such as stylized heads or animals, as well as more traditional Hellenistic elements like Greek deities and symbols. The production of Thraco-Macedonian Celtic coins eventually declined with the Roman conquest of the region in the 1st century BC, as the Celtic influence waned and Roman coinage became more dominant.

Celtic coinage of the Danubian region

Celtic coinage of the Danubian region refers to the coins that were minted by the Celtic tribes inhabiting the areas along the Danube River. The Danubian region, including present-day Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, and parts of Romania, was home to various Celtic tribes such as the Boii, Scordisci, and Taurisci. Celtic coins in this region were influenced by the Greek and Hellenistic coinage styles, reflecting the cultural interactions between the Celts and the Greek colonies along the coast of the Black Sea. The coins often feature intricate designs, including stylized human and animal motifs, as well as Greek mythological figures and symbols. With the expanding influence of the Roman Empire and the gradual Romanization of the region, Celtic coinage declined, eventually giving way to Roman imperial coinage as the dominant currency.

Celtic coinage in Germany and Central Europe

Celtic coinage in Germany and central Europe refers to the coins minted by Celtic tribes in the territories that encompass present-day Germany and the central European region. These tribes, including the Helvetii, Suebi, and Marcomanni, among others, inhabited these areas and had their own coinage system. Their coins were influenced by local Celtic traditions and the cultural interactions with neighbouring civilizations, such as the Greeks and Romans. They often exhibited unique designs and motifs, featuring stylized human and animal figures, intricate patterns, and inscriptions in Celtic languages. As the Roman Empire expanded its influence over these regions, the Celtic coinage declined, and Roman imperial coinage became more prevalent. Finally, the Celts adopted Roman coinage systems and assimilated into the Roman cultural and economic framework.

Celtic coinage in Southeast Europe

Celtic coinage in southeast Europe refers to the coins minted by Celtic tribes, known as the Scordisci, which settled in regions that encompass present-day Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, and parts of Macedonia and Greece. These coins were influenced by both local Celtic traditions and the cultural exchanges with neighbouring civilizations, particularly the Greeks and later the Romans. They also exhibit a blend of Celtic and Hellenistic artistic elements, reflecting the cultural fusion that occurred in the region. Moreover, their designs often feature stylized human figures, animals, and mythological motifs. Inscriptions in Celtic languages, sometimes incorporating Greek letters, can also be found on these coins. With the expansion of the Roman Empire into southeastern Europe, the Celts gradually adopted Roman coinage systems as they came under Roman control.