17
Waveney Diadem. Talbot Bury H, new dies. Iceni. c.50-40 BC. Celtic silver unit. 15mm. 1.44g.
1/2
Auctioneer has chosen not to publish the price of this lot
Norwich, Norfolk
Description
Waveney Diadem. Talbot Bury H, new dies. c.50-40 BC. Silver unit. 15mm. 1.44g. Well styled, comparatively naturalistic, female head right, wearing lunar diadem, S-shaped serpent in front has ram-horned head at each end./ Naturalistic horse galloping left, tiny S-shapes for mane, leaf-like spear-tail, large solar ‘anemone’ and ringed-pellets above, large ringed-pellet below, quatrefoil in front, triple exergual lines with middle line beaded. ABC–, VA–, BMC–, COI 19 (Bury Diadem Right), S–. Good EF, superbly struck on large heavyweight flan of good silver, lightly toned, fabulously well-featured head, serpent virtually complete with both heads clearly displayed, wonderful Whaddon-style horse. An exceptional specimen of a numismatically fascinating type, only recently recognised and easily the finest known. The first we’ve had and (as far as we know) the first to be seen in a public auction catalogue. Found at Harleston, Norfolk, 2019. EXTREMELY RARE only seven others recorded, not one as nice as this (three are badly chipped). Apparently UNIQUE dies, neither previously published.
Draco, the ram-horned dragon, was of crucial importance to the sea-girt, river-rich, fen-fenced Iceni. He was so key to their well being that he is shown large on the obverse of this exquisitely crafted Waveney Diadem unit, and ten times in miniature as the mane of Sirona’s night-mare (seven times on the preceding lighter-weight Bury Diadem, Lot 16) and four times as the ‘quatrefoil’ before her (signifying the four directions and his four elemental manifestions: earth dragon, water dragon, fire dragon, sky dragon). Draco was best known in antiquity, especially to the Druids, as the starry constellation that snakes around the north pole star Sirona ‘The Star’ (modern Polaris). Ever-present in the East Anglian night-sky, Sirona and Draco helped the Iceni to navigate their farming and stock-breeding calendars, their seas, their rivers, their western wetlands and their seasonal festivals, not to mention the time at night. Dr John Talbot, author of Made for Trade: A New View of Icenian Coinage says: “What a beautiful Bury H. Several more have turned up since MFT and yours is now the 8th, but I think the best. Particularly because of its wonderful detail of the double-headed creature before the head on the obverse. The find-spots continue to be in the Waveney Valley which clearly makes this the local equivalent of Bury A (pers.comm. 4.4.2023). A highly important silver coin in exceptional condition and of extreme rarity. Not in ABC, Van Arsdell, BMC nor Spink.
Auction Details
Shipping
T&Cs & Important Info
Ask seller a question
Waveney Diadem. Talbot Bury H, new dies. c.50-40 BC. Silver unit. 15mm. 1.44g. Well styled, comparatively naturalistic, female head right, wearing lunar diadem, S-shaped serpent in front has ram-horned head at each end./ Naturalistic horse galloping left, tiny S-shapes for mane, leaf-like spear-tail, large solar ‘anemone’ and ringed-pellets above, large ringed-pellet below, quatrefoil in front, triple exergual lines with middle line beaded. ABC–, VA–, BMC–, COI 19 (Bury Diadem Right), S–. Good EF, superbly struck on large heavyweight flan of good silver, lightly toned, fabulously well-featured head, serpent virtually complete with both heads clearly displayed, wonderful Whaddon-style horse. An exceptional specimen of a numismatically fascinating type, only recently recognised and easily the finest known. The first we’ve had and (as far as we know) the first to be seen in a public auction catalogue. Found at Harleston, Norfolk, 2019. EXTREMELY RARE only seven others recorded, not one as nice as this (three are badly chipped). Apparently UNIQUE dies, neither previously published.
Draco, the ram-horned dragon, was of crucial importance to the sea-girt, river-rich, fen-fenced Iceni. He was so key to their well being that he is shown large on the obverse of this exquisitely crafted Waveney Diadem unit, and ten times in miniature as the mane of Sirona’s night-mare (seven times on the preceding lighter-weight Bury Diadem, Lot 16) and four times as the ‘quatrefoil’ before her (signifying the four directions and his four elemental manifestions: earth dragon, water dragon, fire dragon, sky dragon). Draco was best known in antiquity, especially to the Druids, as the starry constellation that snakes around the north pole star Sirona ‘The Star’ (modern Polaris). Ever-present in the East Anglian night-sky, Sirona and Draco helped the Iceni to navigate their farming and stock-breeding calendars, their seas, their rivers, their western wetlands and their seasonal festivals, not to mention the time at night. Dr John Talbot, author of Made for Trade: A New View of Icenian Coinage says: “What a beautiful Bury H. Several more have turned up since MFT and yours is now the 8th, but I think the best. Particularly because of its wonderful detail of the double-headed creature before the head on the obverse. The find-spots continue to be in the Waveney Valley which clearly makes this the local equivalent of Bury A (pers.comm. 4.4.2023). A highly important silver coin in exceptional condition and of extreme rarity. Not in ABC, Van Arsdell, BMC nor Spink.
Chris Rudd Auction 189
Ends from
Venue Address
PO Box 1500
Norwich
Norfolk
NR10 5WS
United Kingdom
General delivery information available from the auctioneer
Postage & packing will be added to all invoices. Unless specified otherwise all UK orders sent by Special Delivery. Orders up to £1000 cost £15, over £1000 cost £20. European orders sent International Signed For delivery £15, USA/Canada £25, Rest of World £20.
Important Information
Please read our terms and conditions before bidding.
Terms & Conditions
Terms & Conditions for Chris Rudd Auctions
These terms are summarised. Liz will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Please email liz@celticcoins.com or phone 01263 735 007 or 07990 840 816.
Our estimated value of each lot is given in the catalogue and online. Bidding starts at 80% of this estimate. Estimates shown in BLACK, Starting Prices shown in RED.
How to bid via Internet.Our Auction is conducted online via www.the-saleroom.com If you wish to bid you must ‘Create an account’ and you will receive an email link confirmation of Registration. This must be activated prior to bidding. You must register to bid for each auction. If you are a new bidder in our sale, please provide numismatic credit references and credit/debit card details to secure any bids you may place. Client data is confidential; we do not share our mailing list or client information unless authorised. We reserve the right to revoke any bids and registrations, restrict accesses, and modify or disable the site or any of its features, at our discretion. We do not make any guarantees regarding accessibility, accuracy, or security of this website with regard to registration of bidding. All financial transactions will be carried out by ourselves, the-saleroom.com requests card information for security reasons and will not debit your card.
How to bid by phone or email. In addition to internet bidding, you may bid by mailing the bid sheet included with each catalogue, or by email or telephone. If you choose to telephone your bids, we appreciate a written follow-up. Bids must be received by 12 midday (UK time) Friday 14 July, after this time we cannot guarantee that bids will be placed. If you wish for any guidance regarding current bids please contact Liz. Online bidding continues until the lot closes at 5pm (UK time) Sunday 16 July.
Bidding increments. Lots will be sold to the highest bidder for the winning bid. Bidding automatically increases in fixed increments, so you can enter your maximum bid and let our system do the bidding for you. Please ensure your bids comply with the steps outlined below:
Up to £500 in £20 increments
£500-£1000 in £50 increments
£1000-£2000 in £100 increments
£2000-£5000 in £200 increments
Over £5000 in £500 increments
If you enter a high maximum bid you will win at the current bid amount plus increment. Whole number bids only. Bidders personally guarantee that they will pay for their winning bids.
The first lot will close electronically at 5pm (UK time) on the sale date, with subsequent lots closing every 30 seconds thereafter. Please note: Sniper bids are not allowed. If you bid within the last 10 minutes the lot closing the time will extend by 10 minutes on that lot, from the time of bid.
Personal viewing of lots by appointment only. Please contact Liz to arrange.
How to pay. A 20% buyers fee (24% inc. VAT if applicable at the current rate), will be added to the hammer price of all successful online, written, fax, email and phone bids. Bids are placed in GB£ Sterling. Payment is preferred by direct transfer in £ Sterling (GB£): Chris Rudd Ltd Account Number: 63406857, Sort Code: 20-03-26 or by cheque, postal orders, cash (GB£). Or by International bank transfer to Barclays Bank PLC, Market Place, Aylsham, Norfolk NR11 6EW. IBAN: GB14 BARC 2003 2663 4068 57. SWIFTBIC: BARCGB22. Please ensure all charges are paid or add £6 to cover EU charges, £12 International charges. Visa, MasterCard or debit card accepted. We also accept US$ cheques with $25 bank fee added. Goods remain our property until paid in full. VAT no. GB 665532227.
Winning lots will be sent as soon as possible after receipt of payment on seven days approval. If you aren’t happy with a coin, please phone before returning it. Prices realised are available by subscription via the-saleroom.com
Postage & packing will be added to all invoices. Unless specified otherwise all UK orders sent by Special Delivery £12. European orders sent International Signed For delivery £15, USA/Canada, £25, Rest of World £20.
Privacy Your details are securely held and will not be shared. They will be retained for processing orders and marketing. Please let us know if you don’t wish to be contacted. You can do this at any time.
Export licences are needed for some coins and can take 4-6 weeks to get. Their purpose is to curb the export of national treasures.
