Gallic Wars Funding
CELTIC, Northeast Gaul. Ambiani. Circa 58-55 BC. AV Stater (17mm, 6.09 g). Gallic War issue. Plain bulge / Disjointed horse right; crescents and pellets around. D&T 241; De la Tour 8710; SCBC 11. Good VF. Well struck for issue.
Ex E. Karl Collection.
As their name implies, Gallic War staters were issued to fund the fight against Julius Caesar in Gaul. Two explanations for the blank obverse have been suggested: firstly, to signify that the coins were minted by a coalition of tribes – ‘headless’ in other words – and, secondly, to speed up the production process, because the coins were often made in a hurry. The latter rationale seems to be more plausible.