Gold Coin of the Parisii

Unknown

last quarter 2nd century BCE · Gold · Medieval Art

The Celts probably began striking coins in the 200s b.c. after receiving gold and silver pieces from Hellenistic kings who employed Celtic warriors as mercenaries. The coins seen here display motifs derived from Hellenistic coins—a head on one side and a charioteer and horse on the reverse—but their animated design conveys a Celtic aesthetic.

Artist

Unknown

Date

last quarter 2nd century BCE

Medium

Gold

Culture

Celtic

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917