New 'Thasos type' finds from Thrace

[cavaros]

Celtic 'Thasos type' hoards from central Thrace:

https://www.academia.edu/6144182/Celtic_Thasos_Type_Coinage_from_Central_Bulgaria

[Figleaf]

Interesting as usual and with fascinating illustrations. Not being a scientist, my conclusion is something informal, along the lines of: maybe we are underestimating the presence and importance of Celtic tribes in what is now Bulgaria?

However, playing devil's advocate, I can also point at some major uncertainties.

• These coins were apparently recovered out of archeological context, so they are not evidence on the geographical distribution of the makers.
• Moreover, as you note, they were used in inter-tribal trade.
• There is no consensus on who made the early imitations.

You express yourself carefully on what the coins do prove, a continuous production being a case in point. However, do they really say anything about the "epicentre of production"? If so, I'd like to know what.

Peter

[cavaros]

Hi Peter,

The vast majority of ancient coins are not found in an archaeological context, which is why discoveries such as the one at Bratya Daskalovi, mentioned in the text, is so important. In this case the coins were found in a context with La Tene (Celtic) material dating from the late 1st c. BC, which is invaluable in determining the ethnic group which produced and used them.

In the case of the Thasos imitations, there were probably many epicenters of production, but the clusters which are beginning to appear in south-central Bulgaria are a strong indication that this was one of the main areas. The fact that the prototype, early imitations and late imitations are recovered together in hoards from this area logically suggests production of such coinage in the area. Of course, only the discovery of a matrix/mother coin would provide conclusive proof on this issue.

Brendan

[Figleaf]

Thanks, Brendan. Yes, it's easy to agree on South Bulgaria. I thought you had something more specific in mind. I hope you'll find your mint one day!

Peter