Obverse:

Barley ear dividing CA and M[N].

Reverse:

Horse r., branch above and CVNO below.

Good very fine, scarce and an important unpublished die combination. Realised an extremely impressive sum at auction.

Ex Trehearne Collection, CNG Triton XXVI Auction, 11 Jan 2023 (Realised $6,737 Inc. B.p)

During D. F. Allen’s die study of Cunobelin’s gold coinage, this particular die link was unknown. The coin presented here now provides a critical connection between two distinct phases of die production. The obverse is die ‘I’, which, prior to this example, had only been recorded paired with the distinctive reverse dies ‘J’ and ‘K’. Following obverse ‘I’, Allen noted “a marked change in style” in the die cutting, with the first of the newer-style dies including reverse die ‘M’—the reverse used on this coin.

CNG previously suggested that the obverse die seen here had been recut to remove rust and numerous die breaks evident on the coin shown in Plate V – 137 (die pair I/L). However, our examination and opinion is that the obverse on this coin remains in its original condition, showing no evidence of reworking. This implies that both the older obverse and newer reverse dies were in use concurrently, rather than in a strictly sequential progression. Although Allen cautioned that the surviving coins likely do not represent a complete record of the coinage, this new die link offers important evidence toward understanding the continuity and overlap in Cunobelin’s minting practices.

For further reading see:

D.F. Allen (1975) ‘Cunobelin’s Gold’, Britannia: A Journal of Romano-British and Kindred Studies, Vol. VI, The Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies. Pg 1-19, Plates I-VII.