Celtic Vercingetorix Coin

Iron Age Celtic coins, mostly over 2,000 years old, were minted by the Celts from the late 4th century BC to the late 1st century BC, in gold,... more

by Kristen Fox

Title

Celtic Vercingetorix Coin

Artist

Kristen Fox

Medium

Mixed Media

Description

Iron Age Celtic coins, mostly over 2,000 years old, were minted by the Celts from the late 4th century BC to the late 1st century BC, in gold, silver, and bronze (copper and tin). Many of them were stamped with the names of tribal rulers recorded in history only through their coins. Although their designs were influenced by Greek and Roman coinage, Celtic coins have their own sense of artistry and style. The images found impressed on Celtic coins vary from giants dragging heads on ropes, horsemen charging into battle or celebrating victories, gods and goddesses of many belief systems, chariots, many different kinds of animals, abstract patterns, kings and leaders, as well as elements such as lightning, and the sun and moon. They are tiny works of imaginative and vibrant art. This design is based on a Celtic coin of the Arverni Tribe in Central Gaul, from what is now the Auvergne area of France. The warrior with staff and shield may represent Vercingetorix who was Chieftain of the Arverni tribe, called 'king of a hundred battles', who united the Gauls in an ultimately unsuccessful revolt against Roman forces during the last phase of Julius Caesar's Gallic Wars. From the 1st Century BC

Uploaded

March 28th, 2012