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Oldest coin in Saxony found near Leipzig
A 2,200-year-old Celtic gold coin discovered near Leipzig by a metal detectorist is the oldest coin found in Saxony. It is one of only 11 Celtic coins ever found in Saxony, and one of those is lost. Out of the ten remaining, only one of them is gold and it is worn smooth, unlike this one which is in like-new condition.
The coin was discovered in July by metal detectorist Daniel Fest. He is certified by the Saxon State Office for Archaeology (LfA) to scan for archaeological materials which he turns over to cultural heritage authorities when he finds any. It was examined by State Archaeologist Dr. Regina Smolnik who identified it a gold quarter stater originating in the Celtic settlement area of Bohemia.
It is half the diameter of a penny and weighing just two grams. Also known as a rainbow cup coin, the quarter stater is domed and legend has it that these coins fell out of the sky at the end of a rainbow. It is incredibly pure, composed of 99% gold, and in near-mint condition. It dates to the 3rd century B.C.
The obverse depicts a stylized head of an animal facing forward with eyes on each side of a long nose, horns and a large forehead bump. The reverse of the coin has an open circle shape with widened ends: a torc with trumpet terminals. Inside the torc is a five-pointed star with rounded points, and a sphere at the bottom center of the star above the torc terminals. Torcs were powerful protective amulets and symbols of aristocracy in Celtic society. They were used as an artistic motif as well, and appear on five denominations of gold and silver coins minted in Bohemia starting in the late 3rd century B.C.
Gold quarter staters are very rare, only minted in the early phase of Celtic coin production in northern Bohemia. They were soon replaced by 1/3 staters, fed by the trade in high-value Baltic amber. Only a handful of examples of the few documented types of Bohemian gold quarter staters are known to exist.
State archaeologist Regina Smolnik: “Celtic coins are a rarity in Saxony. Although Saxony lies outside the Celtic settlement area, this valuable new find is further evidence that there were regular contacts and connections. While we refer to the object as a ‘coin,’ it can be assumed that this almost mint-fresh new find was hardly in circulation in the sense of a coin economy. Rather, it was likely a status symbol or a store of value for an upper class with trade relations with the Celts.”
The coin will be transferred to the LfA Museum in Chemnitz and will be put on public display.
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