A Celtic gold coin found in a field in the Berkshire region of Britain will now be put up for auction at a starting price of £70,000. The coin, considered one of the most important ancient coins, will be presented at Stanley Gibbons Baldwin’s Ancient, British and World Coins auction on March 12.
The coin was minted by Caratacus, a famous war leader of Iron Age Britain who is often blamed for the Roman invasion of Britain. This gold coin is now considered Britain’s most important Iron Age coin.
The front of the coin features the figure of a horseman, with the initials ‘Cаrаt’ inscribed in Latin, clearly indicating its creator.
The coin was found by a detectorist in a field near Newbury in Berkshire in 2019, and the following year it was auctioned at a record price of £88,000, including the buyer’s premium. The coin will now be available from March 12 at SGBaldwins.com at an introductory price of £70,000.
Caratacus and his role:
Caratacus is a well-known historical figure who extended the control of the Catuvellani tribe to today’s Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, as well as parts of Essex, Cambridgeshire and Oxfordshire. He struggled against Roman rule for almost a decade.
In AD 50, after eight years of guerrilla warfare, he confronted the Roman army at the Battle of Caer Caradoc, where he was defeated and later imprisoned. However, despite his defeat, he was not sentenced to death immediately and was sent to Rome.
In Rome, Caratacus impressively delivered a speech in Latin, in which he praised the Roman forces and their conquests. His speech earned him amnesty, and he and his family were granted a villa in Rome.
Caratacus coins and their historical significance:
For centuries it was believed that Caratacus coins did not exist, and in 1864 Evans described the existence of these coins as ‘doubtful’ in his book The Coins of the Ancient Britons. However, this coin has now been revealed as a historic discovery.
Dominic Chorney, ancient coin expert at Stanley Gibbons Baldwin, said, “We often sell very rare coins, but to offer something that is completely unique and of national significance is unusual. We are all excited to be auctioning this beautiful piece of British history.”
The auction will be held on 12 March at 399 Strand. The coin is expected to attract huge attention from both historians and collectors, as its historical significance and rarity are immense.
What will be offered at the auction:
The auction will also feature a range of other ancient, British and world coins, giving collectors a unique opportunity to acquire rare and valuable pieces.
Conclusion:
This fort coin minted by Caratacus is of immense historical importance and will be considered a priceless piece in Britain’s ancient coin collections. With a starting price of £70,000, this coin is sure to be a major attraction at the auction. If you are passionate about history and ancient coins, this auction could be a great opportunity.
FAQs
Q. What is the price of the Celtic gold coin in the March 2025 auction?
A. The starting price for the coin is £70,000.
Q. Who minted the Celtic gold coin?
A. The coin was minted by Caratacus, a prominent warlord of Iron Age Britain.
Q. Where was the Celtic gold coin discovered?
A. The coin was found in a field near Newbury, Berkshire, in 2019.
Q. What is the historical significance of the coin?
A. The coin is considered one of the most important Iron Age coins from Britain and is linked to Caratacus, who fought against the Roman invasion.
Q. When and where will the auction take place?
A. The auction will be held on March 12 at 399 Strand, London.