This reproduction Stater coin of Cunobelin is moulded directly from an original coin and is made from pewter that is 22ct gold plated.
Housed in specially designed packaging, the coin pack has an image from the Book of Kells on the front as well as the two coins in the collection, and other Celtic artefacts inside.
The Stater coin was struck by Cunobelin who ruled over a large part of south-eastern Britain. His coins were struck at Camulodunum (Colchester) and Verlamion (St. Albans). The obverse depicts a barley ear and the reverse a horse.
The Celts were a diverse group of Iron Age tribal societies rooted in central Europe who flourished from c.750 BC. They spoke related languages and shared similar customs and beliefs. From c.450 BC groups of Celts started to arrive in Britain. From around 150 BC the first coinage began to be imported into Britain from ancient Gaul (France) and Belgium.
Celtic coins were mainly made from gold and silver and included the images of gods, chariots, horses, wolves, warriors and barley. Some coins had inscriptions on them identifying the tribe or ruling chieftain who struck them.
Following the Roman invasion of 43 AD the production of Celtic coins reduced significantly. After the suppression of Queen Boudicca’s revolt in c.61 AD Celtic coinage in Britain came to an end.
