Gold coin showing British warrior Caratacus who led resistance against the Roman

[Cunobelin]

Gold coin showing British warrior Caratacus who led resistance against the Romans sells for £80,000 after being discovered by detectorist

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8956223/Gold-coin-showing-British-warrior-Caratacus-led-resistance-against-Romans-sells-80-000.html

A 2,000-year-old Iron Age coin depicting Britain's first ever freedom fighter has sold for £80,040 to an unnamed buyer after it was discovered by a metal detectorist.

Described as the 'most important single Iron Age coin ever found in this country', the coin depicts the leader Caratacus, who resisted the Roman invasion in 43AD, as a naked horseman carrying a javelin and shield.

It was minted in Hampshire shortly before Emperor Claudius sent four legions to raid Britannia and was auctioned at Chris Rudd Auctions in Norwich on Sunday 15.

A metal detectorist dug the prize up in a field near Newbury, Berkshire, in November 2019, only 20 miles from where it was minted in modern day Silchester - then Calleva - 2,000 years ago.

Chris Rudd of Chris Rudd Auctions, Norwich, claimed the price was a world record for a Celtic coin after it had a starting price of £24,000, according to The Times.   

The coin is the first definitely known as linked to Caratacus to be discovered.

He was a military commander in the 1st century AD and managed to resist the Roman conquest of Britain for eight years.

Dr John Sills, author of Divided Kingdoms: The Iron Age Gold Coinage of Southern England, said: 'The Caratacus gold stater is the most important single Iron Age coin ever found in this country, the only known gold coin of one of Britain's greatest resistance leaders.'