Collecting Celtic coins

Coin Guide

Coin Directory

Coin collecting guide

Ancient coins

Collecting Celtic coins

The development of Celtic coinage is attributed to the migration of Celtic mercenaries employed by Greek leaders Philip II of Macedon and Alexander the Great. These warriors were paid with Greek coins which they brought back to their homeland in Central and Western Europe.

The Greek coins became the working models for the development of Celtic coins. Early Celtic coins were faithful copies of the Greeks particularly the gold stater of Philip II of Macedon. Gradual incorporation of the Celts’ long tradition in fine metalworking and ornamental designs produced coins that are expression of Celtic culture and society.

Celtic coins are commonly made of gold, silver, cast bronze or potin. The production of Celtic coins used two effective ancient coin-making techniques – striking and casting.

Striking involves hammering the design into a blank metal strip. This technique produces coins that have beautiful imprints in them. Casting, on the other hand, employs moulds and molten metal to make the coins. The Celts of Gaul are well-known for their use of potin (a tin-rich bronze variation) in making cast coins.

There are primarily two types of Celtic coins – British and Continental or Gaulish coinages, which can be further subdivided into specific tribes.

The Celts of Gaul (roughly France) were the first to mint coins which are based on the gold stater of Philip II of Macedon. Through time, the designs evolved to include Celtic signs and symbols. British Celts further enhanced the imagery of the coins by incorporating more Celtic ornamentation.

Despite the large number of tribes, there are common features of Celtic coins. Abstracted heads, horses, and animals are examples of these features. These symbols are echoes of the Celts’ everyday life.

Collecting Celtic coins requires an understanding of the history and culture of the Celts. If you are interested on building your own Celtic coin collection, read our Celtic coin collecting guide for tips on how to start the right way.

Comments from our readers...