As their name implies, Gallic War staters were issued to fund the fight against Julius Caesar in Gaul. Two explanations for the blank obverse have been suggested: firstly, to signify that the coins were minted by a coalition of tribes – ‘headless’ in other words – and, secondly, to speed up the production process, because the coins were often made in a hurry. The latter rationale seems to be more plausible.
CELTIC, Gaul. Ambiani. Circa 58-55 BC. AV Stater (5.48 gm). Gallic War Uniface Type. Plain obverse / M-shaped Celtic horse right, pellets and crescents around, ‘coffee bean’ behind. D&T 237; De la Tour -; Van Arsdell 50.
