Celtic Gaul, Aulerci Cenomani, Stater 2nd century BC

Celtic Gaul. Aulerci Cenomani (region du Mans). Stater “with wingless figure holding two weapons" ("au personnage aptère aux deux armes"), 2nd century BC. Gold 7.17 g.; 20.3 mm.
Obverse: Profile on the right of Apollonian origin, hair formed by a sort of headband (reminding a laurel wreath) made of two rows of rectangular, striated locks; above and behind, flame-like bun and back; encircling the face, a row of crescent-shaped locks. Where the ears should be, two horizontal, parallel lines, coming from two strands, ends on the cheek in a triangular ornament made up of three globules. Before the forehead, a large S-shaped lock //
Reverse: Winged androcephalic horse galloping to the right, driven by a highly stylised charioteer, holding the reins in one hand and in the other, a cord passing over the horse's head and ending before it in a square divided by an X with a central pearl, reminiscent of a vexillum. Under the horse's tail, four-spoked wheel. Below, a wingless figure lying to the right, holding a curved dagger in one hand and a spear in the other.

Delestrée, Classe IV, 2150 (pl. VII); Latour 6852 (pl.XXIII); De Jersey 1994, p. 60, fig. 23, IV; Scheers, Lyon, 930.

With a blank large enough to receive the whole portrait and a large part of the reverse type, this example is of excellent quality and very well preserved. There is a very slight scratch on the horse's wing on the reverse, which is almost complete (the spear is not visible and the vexillum is interrupted), and the whole well preserved despite the slight overall circulation wear.
Almost uncirculated AU 50-53