Coin hoard with imitations of Philip II from Bulgaria

Abstract

The subject of the publication is a coin hoard containing 179 imitations known as “East Celtic”. They repeat the iconographic type of the tetradrachms of Philip II. The coin type is well known and falls into the classifications of all researchers of the so-called Celtic coinage. The authors of this material do not comment on the issue of the ethnic origin of the issuer. Also the about question of the center of this abundant coinage. The purpose of the publication is to present one of the most voluminous finds of this coin type discovered south of the Danube River. Another important aim of the material is introduce into scientific circulation some results from the study of the weight and metal content of the coins. According to previous research, the range of distribution of this imitative type is mainly north of the Danube River. They are included in all catalogs of Celtic coins, but information on their location is scarce. Often the authors present information only from which collection the coins are from. It is only in his work devoted to the so-called “Ghetto-Dacian” coinage that K. Preda gives a comprehensive picture of the main hoards and the areas where they were discovered. It also offers information on treasures south of the Danube River. The place of storage of the coin treasure published here is extremely unusual. It is in the collection of the Haskovo Regional History Museum. No similar finds, including single coins, have been found in the region of Haskovo district, as well as on the territory of today's Southern Bulgaria. The authors have unconfirmed information about the location of this coin hoard. The coins were discovered in today's Northeastern Bulgaria.

Keywords

• imitations
• celts
• ghetto-daki
• coins
• coinage
• tetradrachms
• drachms