British history may have just undergone a significant refresh thanks to the remarkable discovery of a coin bearing the name of a forgotten Iron Age king. The coin was unearthed by a metal detector in a Hampshire field and bears the inscription ‘Esunertos’. Experts are speculating that Esunertos may have ruled as king from the formidable Danebury Fortress, and the find has been heralded as “one of the standout discoveries of recent decades”.
The gold coin was initially expected to fetch around £4,000 ($5,000) at auction. However, it exceeded all expectations by setting a new record at Spinks Auction, selling for a staggering £20,400 ($25,500), the Daily Mail reports.
The coin was found by Lewis Fudge, a metal detector who was given permission to search a farmer’s fields in March this year. Lewis Fudge expressed his excitement, stating:
“I’m very happy. If it weren’t for the people in the auction room, I would have been jumping around. The collectors I talked to were stunned. I’m glad I didn’t take their private offer before the auction price.” . It’s unbelievable that my discovery spawned its own Wikipedia page.
Lewis Fudge found a coin bearing the name of an Iron Age king in a field in Hampshire. ( Spink Auction )
Crowning the Iron Age king Esunertos
Leading Iron Age experts have analyzed the coin and believe it is related to a prominent male figure known as ‘IISVNIRTOS’ or ‘Esunertos’ which translates to ‘Strong as the God Esos’. One theory is that Esunertos may have ruled as king from the fortress of Danebury Hill.
Dr. John Sills of the Celtic Coin Index at the Ashmolean Museum praised the find, calling it “one of the outstanding discoveries of recent decades in Celtic numismatics.”
This coin, estimated to have been minted between 50 and 30 BC, coincides with the first Roman raid on Britain by Julius Caesar in 55 BC when the Roman general landed ashore Kent Sea with 20,000 soldiers. Despite a confrontation with Celtic warriors on the beach, the Romans had difficulty landing due to rough seas and eventually returned home.
The coin bears the name Esunertos. Left, Reverse, Right, Reverse (Spink Auction)
Spink Auctions describes the coin as a gemstone slab with the obverse bearing the name Esunertos in Latin, and with the worn head of Apollo made up of three rows of interlocking outward-facing crescents, a wheel seven spokes in the middle replace ears and a spiked eye radiates toward the neck line.
The reverse of the coin shows a three-tailed horse, with a pincer-like lower jaw for the face and straight ears, with a pellet mane, yoke or bucranium above the head, an 8-spoke wheel on top piercing the horse’s back and have double or triple rings. notice below.
The time of King Esunertos
Esunertos’s reign, if confirmed, would have preceded the Roman invasion and subsequent occupation of Britain, which did not occur until 43 AD during the reign of the Emperor Claudius .
Gregory Edmund, Iron Age Coin Specialist at Spink auction house, who led the team of experts who documented the find, commented:
“This amazing work of prehistoric art completes the image we have in mind when we think of Iron Age Britain – war horses and chariots. But it also surprises us with the emergence of languages as classical as Latin.”
Edmund continued, “This is what I came to work for; to record discoveries of national importance and share that knowledge directly with museums and among scholars and collectors.” and the general public.”
He concluded with a sense of historical vindication, saying, “Esunertos was once forgotten, but now his name remains prominent in the historical record.”
The discovery of the Esunertos coin has opened a fascinating new chapter in the history of Iron Age Britain, which could shed light on a previously overlooked king and his times. But Esos is believed to have been a Gaulish god, so before we conclude for certain that this was a new king ruling over a territory in what is now England, other possibilities would need to be ruled out. .
Top image: 50 BC coin bearing the name of Esunertos, a previously unknown Iron Age king. Source: Spinks Auctions
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