Very Rare Stater of the Ambiani, Northeast Gaul, 2nd Century BC
Obverse: Celticized bust of Apollo left, wearing broad wreath and drapery with linear designs. Reverse: Celticized Nike driving quadriga left; star and ornaments in field, rosette-like device and two pellets-in-annulets below; zigzag pattern in exergue.
The Ambiani were a Celtic speaking Belgic people in the valley of the Samara (modern Somme) and their chief town was Samarobriva, later called Ambiani and Civitas Ambianensium. They were among the people who took part in the great insurrection against the Romans, which is described in the seventh book of Caesar’s Gallic War.
The Ambiani were consummate minters and Ambianic coinage has been found throughout the territories of the Belgic tribes, including the Belgae of Britain. There is some evidence from coins that bear a stag on one side and a betorced head on the obverse that the Ambiani were followers of the god Cernunnos (horned God). A few Ambiani coins have been found along the south coast of the West Country possibly as the result of trade across the English channel.
