Celtic tribes
The Celts were not a single people but a constellation of tribes sharing language, art, and beliefs across Iron Age Europe. From Britain to Gaul and the Rhineland, many tribes issued distinctive coinages with bold, stylised designs.
The exact origin and relationship between various Celtic tribes is still uncertain and controversial. The earliest undisputed example of a Celtic language are the Lepontic inscriptions (beginning 6th century BC). Celtic tribes settled in large parts of Western continental Europe, the Iberian Peninsula, Ireland and Britain.
Below we group key tribes by origin-British tribes and Continental tribes-so you can explore their histories, territories, and coinage. Click any image to view a larger version.
British Celtic Tribes
The British Isles hosted numerous Celtic tribes whose coins and archaeology illuminate their culture and their confrontation with Rome.
Catuvellauni
The Catuvellauni were a powerful tribe in southern Britain, centred around modern Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. Known for their advanced economy and skilled metalwork, they were the dominant tribe in south-eastern Britain by the time of the Roman invasion in AD 43.
Their rulers, including Tasciovanus and Cunobelinus, issued inscribed coins-marking a shift from purely symbolic imagery to written legends-and played a major role in the politics of late pre-Roman Britain.
Durotriges
The Durotriges, based in Dorset and nearby regions, struck some of Britain's most abstract coinage, horses and heads reduced to geometric forms. Their finds and hillforts (e.g. Maiden Castle) reveal a distinctive identity and vibrant local economy on the eve of the Roman conquest.
The Durotriges tribe occupied Dorset, south Wiltshire, south Somerset. They lived in a mineral-rich area and minted coins well before the Roman invasion. One of the first Celtic mints in Britain was located at Hengistbury Head. Other metalworking also involved gold, silver and copper alloys as well as the casting of bronze artefacts and ironworking with local iron ore. Many coins from this era have been found, interestingly some of which appear to be forgeries with a bronze base given a dip coating of silver. Hengistbury Head was also a main trading port for importing wine, tools and pottery from Gaul and even Italy.
The territories of the Durotriges were possessed of an unusual density of powerful hillforts. They occupied some of the most famous hillforts of Maiden Castle, Hod Hill and South Cadbury Castle. They were bordered to the north and east by the Belgae and by the Dumnonii to the west. During the time of the Roman invasion the Durotriges were one of the two tribes that fought against Vespasian and the second legion.
Iceni
The Iceni or Eceni was a Celtic tribe who inhabited an area of Britain (roughly to the modern-day county of Norfolk) between the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD.
The Iceni began producing coins circa 10 BC. Their coins were a distinctive adaptation of the Gallo-Belgic "face/horse" design, and in some early issues the horse was replaced with a boar. Some coins are inscribed ECENI, making them the only coin-producing group to use their tribal name on coins.
Tacitus records that the Iceni were not conquered in the Claudian invasion of AD 43, but they made a voluntary alliance with the Romans. After the death of Prasutagus, a pro-Roman Icenican king, the most famous revolt against the Romans was led by his widow Boudicca (Boadicea) in AD 61. After initial successes against the Roman Ninth Legion, and the destruction of Colchester, London and Verulamium, Boudicca was finally defeated by the Roman army, which was led by Paulinus.
Trinovantes
Addedomarus, ruler of the Trinovantes in the late 1st century BC with territories on the north side of the Thames estuary. The Trinovantes were bordered to the north by the Iceni, and to the west by the Catuvellauni.
His name is known only from his inscribed coins. He was the first king to produce inscribed coins north of the Thames, perhaps as early as 35 BC, although some estimates are as late as 15 BC. He seems to have moved the Trinovantian capital from Braughing in Hertfordshire to Camulodunum. For a brief period (ca. 15-10 BC) Tasciovanus of the Catuvellauni issued coins from Camulodunum. Addedomarus then appears to have regained power and reigned until 10-5 BC, when he was succeeded by Dubnovellaunus.
Continental Celtic Tribes
Continental Celtic communities linked the Mediterranean and northern Europe. Their coinages, trade, and alliances reveal close contact with Greek and Roman worlds while preserving distinct local styles.
Ambiani
The Ambiani were a sea-faring tribe, living along the lower reaches of the Somme (present day the Picardy region). Their tribal capital was called Samarobriva (corresponds to the modern city of Amiens).
The Ambiani were prolific minters and Ambianic coinage is found throughout the territories of the Belgic tribes (including the Belgae of Britain). There is some evidence from a coin that bears a stag on one side and a betorced head on the obverse that the Ambiani were followers of the god Cernunnos (horned god). Their famous uniface gold staters-sometimes called "Gallic War staters", evolved from Macedonian prototypes into striking abstract forms and circulated widely across Belgic Gaul and Britain. They were issued to fund the fight against Julius Caesar in Gaul. The fact that the coins have no obverse design is an indication that these coins were struck in a hurry.
In 57 BC the Ambiani joined the coalition of Belgic tribes to fight against the Romans, led by Julius Caesar.
Lingones
The Lingones were a Celtic tribe with their vast territories straddling the current department of Haute-Marne and parts of the Côte d'Or, de l'Yonne et de l'Aube. The surrounding tribes included the Senones, Leuci, Remi, Suessiones and Aedui. It was one of the largest civitas of Gaul, with their capital called Andematunnum (Lingones), currently the city of Langres in the Haute-Marne. Around 400 BC some of the Lingones migrated across the Alps where they settled in Cisalpine Gaul (northern Italy). Together with the Boii and Senones tribes, these Lingones may have been part of the sacking of Rome in 390 BC.
By the first century AD the Gaulish Lingones were thoroughly Romanized and were also minting coins. Their advantageous position at the trade route between the Mediterranean with the far west and north made this an economic vital area with great influence in ancient Gaul, and made them Rome's natural allies. It was with their support that Julius Caesar was able to conquer the northern part of Gaul (Belgica). Together with the Aeduans and Remi, the Lingones were considered to be Caesar's most loyal supporters, offering assistance with putting down the insurrection of Ambiorix and the siege of Alesia.
After the accession of Galba as ruler of the Roman world the Lingones sided with the rebellious legions in the Batavian rebellion (69-70 AD), declaring the independence of Gaul with the Trevirans.
Between the second and first century BC ... These have become known as Kaletedou-type. The significance of the Greek inscriptions has not been explained. On the obverse is a helmeted head of Roma, the Greek inscription on the reverse is classed in 3 types:
- Type 1: legend SVLA KAΛΕΤΕΔΟV
- Type 2: legend K AΛΕΤΕΔΟY
- Type 3: legend abbreviated, sometimes as ΚΑΛ or as the remainder of a pseudo inscription in conjunction with a many-spoked wheel, a circle point decoration, a delta (upside down).
Morini
The Morini were a Belgic tribe who inhabited the low-lying plains and coastal wetlands of the North Sea in the historic Flanders region (the province of West Flanders) and the present-day Nord and Pas-de-Calais(France). The word "Flanders" is a contraction of "flooded lands" and refers the north of the Morini territory. Their coinage and settlements reflect intense cross-Channel connections.
Caesar was very interested in a part of the Morini territory, the present-day region of Calais because here was the shortest crossing of the sea between Gaul and Britannia. The territory of the Morini and Menapii was well protected by marshes and woodland and suited for guerilla tactics. During the great Gallic rebellion led by Vercingetorix, the Morini sent a contingent of some 5000-7000 men to the relief force which had to liberate Alesia.
Remi
The Remi were a Belgic tribe of north-eastern Gaul in the 1st century BC. They occupied the northern Champagne plain, between the rivers Mosa (Meuse) and Matrona (Marne), and along the river valleys of the Aisne and its tributaries the Aire and the Vesle. Their tribal capital was at Durocortum (Reims, France) and they were renowned for their cavalry and horse-breeding. The Remi issued elegant electrum staters and other types with refined animal and equestrian motifs.
The Remi, under Iccius and Andecombogius, allied themselves with Julius Caesar when he led the conquest of Gaul. The Remi tribe remained loyal to him throughout the entire Gallic Wars, the most pro-Roman of all the peoples of Gaul. The Celts were defeated at Telamon, which was the end of Celtic power in Italy.
Senones
The Senones tribe were a nomadic tribe, related by blood to many other Celtic tribes (Lingones, Aedui, Sequani, Ambarri, Aulerci, Carnuti and Turoni). By the 8th century BC, the Senones were settled around the Loire, Seine (Sena) and Yonne river. By the 4th century BC the Senones and Lingones also settled around the Garonne river.
Many male and female warriors followed the Boii and Lingones over the Alps. They destroyed the Etruscan town of Meltum (Melzo), founded Milan and settled along the Adriatic coast (Sena Gallica, now Senigallia). In 232 BC the decision of Rome to evict the Senones led to the Gallic invasion over the Alps in 225 BC. They contributed warriors to the Celtic army during the siege of Alesia. Their coinage and material culture chart the movement of Celtic groups across the Alps and their encounters with Etruscan and Roman communities.
Sequani
The Sequani were a Gallic people who occupied the upper river basin of the Arar (Saône), the valley of the Doubs and the Jura Mountains, their territory corresponding to Franche-Comté and part of Burgundy.
Like some other Celtic tribes, their alliances and rivalries with neighbouring tribes and with Rome are reflected in their coinage, including silver quinarii that echo Roman denominations, carefully designed to facilitate trade.
The Sequani asked for Caesar's help against Ariovistus but later they joined Vercingetorix' party against Caesar at Alesia. Together with the Senones, they contributed around 12.000 warriors to attack the rear of Caesar's forces at the siege of Alesia.
