Lot 1522

Description

Ancient British, North Thames Region, Catuvellauni, Uninscribed coins, Puckeridge Bird-Hare type, (c.50-30 B.C.), silver half unit, (0.49 g), obv. long-eared hare bounding right, four-spoked wheel with beaded rim behind, ringed pellets around, rev. horse to left, crescent-like lyre above, (S.52, ABC 2499, Van A 474, NT 5-6, BMC 393-396, M 443). Toned, beautifully struck hare, extremely fine, very rare and one of the finest known.

Private purchase from Chris Rudd, list 143, #35.

Ex Isle of Man Collection.

Julius Caesar noted that hares were sacred in Britain (BG 5.12) and Dio Cassius (62.2) says Boudica released a hare before going into battle.