CELTIC, Trinovantes & Catuvellauni. Cunobelin. Circa AD 10-43. AV Stater (18mm, 5.37 g, 10h). Wild type (Trinovantian V). Camulodunum (Colchester) mint. VF.

CNG Feature Auction 133
Lot: 830. Estimated: $ 750

British, Gold

Sold For $ 3 250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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CELTIC, Trinovantes & Catuvellauni. Cunobelin. Circa AD 10-43. AV Stater (18mm, 5.37 g, 10h). Wild type (Trinovantian V). Camulodunum (Colchester) mint. Grain ear / Horse prancing right; branch above, annluet to upper right. Allen, Cunobelin – (dies G/– [unlisted rev. die]); ABC 2777; Van Arsdell 1931-9; SCBC 285. Scratches. VF.

From the Chris Bailey Collection.

After succeeding to the throne of the Catuvellauni circa AD 9-10, Cunobelin, the son of Tasciovanus, extended his control over several other tribes in Southeastern Britannia. He controlled so much of the island that the Roman historian Suetonius later referred to him as “king of the Britons.” Whether this expansion was by conquest or mutual accord is not known. His extensive coinage was struck at Camulodunum (modern Colchester), capital of the Trinovantes tribe, as well as at Verlamion (St. Albans), a Catuvellaunian town. His coinage features Latin inscriptions and uses many Roman motifs, indicating that he at least had friendly relations with the Romans, if not the status of client king. Britons seemed to thrive during his long reign, and the island did a lucrative cross-channel trade in grain, precious metals, iron, hides and hunting dogs. His physical decline and death circa AD 40-43 touched off a dynastic dispute between his sons, Adminius, Togodumnus, and Caratacus that became the pretext for a full-scale Roman invasion under Claudius in 43, with Caratacus becoming leader of the resistance. In later centuries Cunobelin’s reign took on the sheen of a “golden age,” and he entered mythology under several different variants of his name, including Shakespeare’s Cymbeline. =

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 133 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 15-16 September 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 133 – Session Three – Lot 595-896 will be held Wednesday morning, 16 September 2026 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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