★ An exceptional Celtic countermark ★

CELTIC, Central Gaul. Bituriges Cubi or Lemovices. 2nd century BC. 1/4 Stater (Gold, 14 mm, 1.84 g, 10 h), 'au signe en forme de joug' type. Laureate head of Apollo to right; on cheek, countermark: boar standing right within pelleted circle within round incuse. Rev. Celticized charioteer to right, holding kentron in his right hand and reins in his left; below, triskeles and small radiate 'sunrise' ornament; exergue in the forme of a yoke. DT -, cf. 3336 = LT 6424 (differing symbols and without countermark). Flesche -. SLM -. Of the highest rarity, perhaps unpublished. A lovely coin with a very interesting countermark. Flan crack and with an area of weakness on the reverse from countermarking, otherwise, extremely fine.

The appearance of this lovely boar countermark is quite exciting as Celtic countermarks are generally very rare. For another example, a stater from the Redones with two countermarks (a horseman and a floral ornament), see Bourgey, 13 June 2005, 32.