CVC & Collectables presents an authentic Iberian bronze coin from Iltirta, struck in northeastern Spain after 143 BC. Issued during Rome’s consolidation of Hispania following the Celtiberian Wars, this piece reflects the persistence of local Iberian identity under growing Roman influence.
Coin Highlights:
- Issuer: Iltirta (Iberian city, later Ilerda)
- Date: After 143 BC
- Region: Hispania Citerior
- Denomination: AE (Bronze)
- Weight: 12.62 grams
- Grade: NGC Choice Fine
- Obverse: Bare-headed, draped male bust right; hair in waves and locks; three dolphins swimming around
- Reverse: Iberian legend ILTiRTa; horseman galloping right, holding reins and palm; chlamys flying behind
- References: Villaronga CNH 20; NAH 777; ACIP 1261
- Patina: Attractive brown patina with strong contrast
Historical Significance:
The horseman motif is one of the most enduring symbols in Iberian coinage, representing elite warrior culture and social status. Its continued appearance during Roman rule signals cultural resilience rather than submission. Coins like this circulated alongside Roman issues, making them tangible evidence of a transitional economy where indigenous traditions and Roman administration coexisted.
Cool Fact – The Iberian Horseman Tradition:
The horseman type seen here influenced later Roman provincial designs in Hispania. Long after Iberian scripts disappeared, mounted figures remained common in regional imagery. The Romans themselves adopted local cavalry traditions, and Hispania went on to supply some of Rome’s finest horsemen and even future emperors, including Trajan and Hadrian.
Collectibility:
Bronze issues of Iltirta are highly sought after for their bold designs, legible Iberian inscriptions, and historical context within Rome’s western expansion. Examples with intact patina and clear devices, such as this Choice Fine specimen, are especially desirable to collectors of Iberian, Roman Republican–era provincials, and early Spanish coinage.
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