CELSE (Velilla de Ebro). As. (Ae. 10.45g / 29mm). 120-50 BC (FAB-781 var). Anv: Male head to the right surrounded by three dolphins. Rev: Rider on the right holding the bridle, underneath LESE countermark on CELSE legend. VG. Rare countermark.
Of very contrasted dates, thanks to the archaeological remains found, the minting of coins in this enclave of Hispania Citerior is situated in the chronological range that goes from the 2nd century BC to the 1st century AD From the beginning, from the most archaic, The pattern of the laureate head is repeated, sometimes accompanied by dolphins, on the obverse, and the lancer or clapper rider on the reverse, the latter clearly influenced by the Ilerda model. The oscillation of the weight of these pieces is another of the characteristic features, being between 21 and 10 grams depending on the time. Special mention for the counter-brand Lese, which, although it may remind us of Celse or Cese, could also be a reference to the Ibero-Roman enclave of Lese / Lésera in Forcall (Castellón), an important land communication hub through which an ancient itinerary that passed from the Via Augusta he went to Caesaraugusta.
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