Durotriges research

"Unlisted" varieties of The Durotriges.

Billon Staters

by Mike R. Vosper.

ADDITIONS OMO's No. 5 and 6 ADDED 22/3/2000

ADDITIONS OMO No 7 ADDED 4/9/2001

ADDITION SINGLE-FERN TAIL TYPE No 2 ADDED 3/1/2003

Some time ago I had seen some 850 of these Durotriges billon staters to look through, together with various other groups, this gave me an approximation of 1,300 specimens to examine. In these groups I noted several strange variations OMO, XAV (unbarred A), double-fern tail and single-fern tail types.

OMO IN EX. TYPE:-

This type exhibits a wheel in front of horse, 'zig-zag' tail, OMO with scroll below. The OMO has a pellet in each O, a trefoil of pellets in M's top arch, one pellet in lower arch each side. Seven found in c1,300 = 0.54% i.e 1 in 186 coins

1. c4.2g

OMO IN EX. TYPE

2. c4.0g

3. c3.1g

4. c3.8g

5. c4.3g

6. c4.0g

7. c4.0g

XAV IN FRONT TYPE:-

This type exhibits XAV (A unbarred) in front of the horse. Two found in c1,300 = 0.15%

1. c4.0g

XAV IN FRONT TYPE

2. c4.4g

DOUBLE FERN-TAIL TYPE:-

This type appears to have lines dividing two ferns all of which extends into ex. Two found in c1,300 = c0.15%

c4.2

DOUBLE FERN-TAIL TYPE

SINGLE-FERN TAIL TYPE:-

This type has a fern dropping down below the tail(s) pointing upwards. Only one found in c1,300 = c0.08%

1. c4.2g

SINGLE-FERN TAIL TYPE

2. c3.8g

NNA-449

Cat. No.

Issuer

Description

Condition

Price

NNA/449.

"Unlisted" DUROTRIGES

"Fern-Tail Ty." Billon Stater, c50-45BC, c3.8g, c19mm. Abs. hd. of Apollo r./Disj. horse l., "eye" at rear, 3-tail lines upwards, fern extends downwards. Not in any of the usual cats. with this extra feature.

Two minor test cuts on obv. & as found with silvery grey-green tone, worn dies, NVF/VF. Extremely-rare.

SOLD

Judging from the above it must be noted that all these variations probably apply to one die, as is testified in the case of types 1 and 2 having duplicates from one die. I wonder if they represent a 'personal' mark, weight/content of silver change or even a particular 'village' issue. The 'personal' or 'village' marks would be difficult to detect as all Durotriges coins come from a small area of use i.e Dorset. As a mark of weight change, I have not been able to find any standard of weight applying to any particular type and unfortunately I do not have the facility to analyze their metal contents.

I would like to list a few other types, of which I consider to be worth mentioning:-

Fan-tail. c3.9g. This type exhibits progressive die damage at front of horse and I have seen about 35, some with no flaw, some have a massive flaw.

Leaves down/Spread-tail. c4.3g. (Earlier coin?). Note the three pellets at lower crescent. The rev. exhibits small neat punches.

Leaves up/Spread-tail.c4.2g. (Earlier coin?). Note the leaves are upwards and the rev. design is larger than above.

Compact type.c4.2g. This type smaller in design, note the 'eye' at the rear of the horse.

Two pellets/Spread type. c4.1g. Only seen one example of this spread type with extra pellets near upper crescent.

'Y' Neck horse. c3.7g. Seen one example of this neck being tall and open like a 'Y'.

I would be very keen to receive any regarding information or suggestions as to throw some light on the subject, or even if you know of any new types.

Mike R. Vosper.

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Cat. No.	Issuer	Description	Condition	Price
NNA/449.	"Unlisted" DUROTRIGES	"Fern-Tail Ty." Billon Stater, c50-45BC, c3.8g, c19mm. Abs. hd. of Apollo r./Disj. horse l., "eye" at rear, 3-tail lines upwards, fern extends downwards. Not in any of the usual cats. with this extra feature.	Two minor test cuts on obv. & as found with silvery grey-green tone, worn dies, NVF/VF. Extremely-rare.	SOLD