This Iron Age gold coin was found in Forest Hill. It was known as a
'stater'. One side shows the god Apollo wearing a wreath. The other side
has a disjointed horse. There are also pellets, curved ornaments and an
eye ornament (or chariot wheel) behind. This is a stylised picture of a
horse and chariot.
Who made it?
These coins were made in north-eastern France. They are associated with a
tribe, the Ambiani, who lived around modern Amiens. The coins may have
been brought to Britain at times of unrest in France or by traders.
British mercenaries fighting for the French tribes against the Romans
could have brought the coins back as payment.
The first coins
Gold staters are amongst the earliest coins imported into Britain.
Eventually many British tribes and rulers struck their own coins of bronze
and silver. Iron Age coins help to identify the areas in which tribes
lived and traded. They also tell us about tribal rivalries.
