Two of Switzerland's oldest gold coins found

"Research suggests that the introduction of monetary systems in Central Europe can be traced back to Celtic mercenaries. These men were paid for their services in Greece with coins and brought them back home with them. Around the middle of the 3rd century BC, the Celts began their own coinage, imitating gold coins of the Macedonian king Philip II (359336 BC)."

"The obverse of these coins depicts the head of the Greek god Apollo, the reverse a chariot (biga). The Celts adapted both motifs in their own distinctive style. The two gold coins from Arisdorf are among these imitations. Coin expert Michael Nick of the Inventory of Coin Finds of Switzerland (IFS) identified the stater (weight 7.8 g) as the Gamshurst type and the quarter stater (1.86 g) as the Montmorot type."

"These were extremely valuable coins, far too valuable to serve as regular circulation currency. The Celts probably used them to pay their soldiers just as the original Greek staters had been used to pay for their mercenary services in Macedon. They may have also been diplomatic gifts, to secure political favors or alliances, or as dowries. The find site is on the Barenfels Moor, which may be a clue to how the coins got there."

Two gold Celtic coins dating to the second half of the 3rd century B.C. were discovered near Arisdorf, close to the German border. The coins are among just over 20 known early Celtic examples in Switzerland. Monetary systems in Central Europe trace to Celtic mercenaries who returned from Greece with coins and prompted local imitations around mid-3rd century BC, copying Macedonian Philip II staters. The obverse shows Apollo and the reverse a biga chariot, adapted in Celtic style. The pieces were identified as a Gamshurst stater (7.8 g) and a Montmorot quarter stater (1.86 g). Their rarity and find context suggest offerings, grave goods, high-value payments, or diplomatic gifts. The coins will be displayed publicly.

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