Caratacus, king of the Catuvellauni tribe, is one of the few figures that have come down to us from the pre-Roman era – remembered as the freedom fighter who defied and delayed the forces of invasion for eight years.
An eloquent speech he gave as a captive in Rome famously led to his pardon.
The Caratacus Warrior stater, so-called as it includes the image of a naked figure on horseback holding a javelin and a shield, with the word Carat, was struck at Calleva (modern Silchester in Hampshire) shortly before the Roman invasion of 43AD.
The gold coin of Caratacus sold for £71,000 at Chris Rudd.
The word Cvno alongside an ear of barley confirms Caratacus was a son of Cunobelinus, the legendary Old King Cole and Cymbeline of Shakespeare fame, while the Latin inscriptions verso add to the speculation that Caratacus had been educated in Rome.
The sale took place on November 15 at Iron Age coins specialist Chris Rudd (20% buyer's premium).
